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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL | Last update 30.Aug.26

Case 137 Dossier 137
Review by Rich Cline | 4/5

dir Dominik Moll
scr Gilles Marchand, Dominik Moll
prd Caroline Benjo, Barbara Letellier, Carole Scotta
with Lea Drucker, Jonathan Turnbull, Guslagie Malanda, Sandra Colombo, Solan Machado-Graner, Stanislas Merhar, Antonia Buresi, Genevieve Mnich, Christian Sinniger, Come Peronnet, Valentin Campagne, Mathilde Riu
release US Oct.25 afif,
Fr 19.Nov.25, UK 16.Oct.26
25/France Canal+ 1h56

CANNES FILM FEST

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A fictional story based on real events, this breathless forensic thriller follows an investigator looking into police brutality at Paris' widespread Yellow Vest protests. Because it's narrowed down to a single case, the film puts a staggeringly personal spin on the topic that encompasses all sides. And director-cowriter Dominik Moll looks through a singular point of view that takes on a sense of urgency in the final scene.

In December 2018, teen protester Guillaume (Peronnet) is permanently brain-injured when he is shot by masked policemen, so his mother Joelle (Colombo) naturally wants answers. Assigned to the case, internal affairs inspector Stephanie (Drucker) starts digging for facts and witnesses, eventually working out the identities of the cops involved. But her young teen son Victor (Machado-Graner) echoes the attitude in the streets towards armed police who can't be trusted. So Stephanie wants to be absolutely sure that these officers were on the wrong side of the law, even as the process continually frustrates her.

Stakes feel very high from the start, as Guillaume's serious injuries reveal that something was badly amiss on the night in question. His friend (Campagne) who called emergency services was immediately arrested, as even peaceful young protesters were lumped in with troublemakers. And it quickly becomes apparent that the soldier-like cops on duty that night are lying through their teeth about what happened, protecting each other. They also blame Stephanie for not having their backs.

Drucker is a terrific stand-in for us in this story. We feel her growing exasperation at a system that is happy to turn a blind eye to its own failings. She takes her job seriously, and wants to make a difference. But can she? The performance is so layered that we can see her thoughts spinning, especially when she quietly begins bending rules. In the strongly naturalistic supporting cast, the superbly under-spoken Malanda is the standout as a key witness who understandably doesn't want to get involved.

There are a lot of people in this film, speaking in a quick-fire way that reveals important details along with underlying thoughts and feelings. Moll orchestrates this expertly to keep the audience closely connected to the story, never losing us for a second. And he also cleverly integrates footage and stills of the real protests alongside recreated scenes. So we feel like we're watching a documentary. And it could be happening anywhere on earth at the moment.

themes, language, violence 27.Aug.26

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See also: SHADOWS FILM FESTIVAL