The compelling films of French auteur Claire Denis are full of sex, violence, deceit and tension, and starting today, you can witness her impressive body of work at TIFF Bell Lightbox. Objects of Desire: the Cinema of Claire Denis begins today and runs for the next four weeks. Here are our top picks.
Bastards
Bastards screened at the Toronto International Film Festival this year, and it now gets a limited run alongside the retrospective. Fans of Denis will find some familiar themes, as this dreamy, eerie psychological tale of vengeance deals with parallel stories full of blood and sex. Denis will introduce the screening on Oct. 18
Oct. 11-18
Chocolat
Chocolat is a semi-autobiographical tale about life and love. Denis tells the story in flashbacks, as she often does. Taking place in colonial Africa, the film depicts an eight-year-old girl as she observes her beautiful mother embark upon a forbidden relationship with an African houseboy. Denis slowly raises the tension, and even in this tale of love, she presents startling images that the viewer cannot escape.
Oct. 11, 6:30 p.m.
Beau Travail
Denis’ most heralded work, this wonderfully artistic film is also set in Africa, this time chronicling the life and events of a French Foreign Legion outpost. Beautifully shown and curiously told, Denis’ film dazzles with sun-soaked imagery.
Oct. 12, 7 p.m.
Nénette et Boni
Another hypnotic entry into the retrospective, Denis’ story of siblings living in Marseilles deals once again with sex and lust through ambitious narratives and imagery. Boni secretly lusts for the women he meets, while his younger sister Nénette keeps within her a powerful secret. The dreamlike scenes are underscored by a soundtrack featuring a longtime Denis collaborator, Tindersticks.
Oct. 27, 3:30 p.m.
Objects of Desire: the Cinema of Claire Denis, TIFF Bell Lightbox, Oct. 11 – Nov. 10
