The film Anatomy of a fall made by Justine Triet aroused an animated debate when he won the Palme d’Or during the Cannes Film Festival this year. This judicial drama explores the complex intrications of human relations and offers a deep reflection on questions such as responsibility, jealousy and the transformation of love into betrayal.
The story takes place around the mysterious death of the heroin husband, who is found lifeless at the bottom of their balcony. The spectator is immersed in a story where the clues mingle with flashbacks and testimonies to create a complex canvas of truths and lies. The main character, Sandra Voyer, is accused of the murder of her husband, but the film avoids focusing on the resolution of this mystery in favor of a deeper exploration of the characters and their relationships.
Sandra and her husband have an unhappiness that is visually impaired, and he is the only witness to the tragic fall of her father. The accident that caused the blindness of their son created a rupture between the couple, and Sandra carries the blame on her husband. In addition, the protagonist feels an injustice linked to her own literary success, while her husband was unable to finish her first book. Their life in a French village, where Sandra is a foreigner of German origin, adds additional complications to their dynamics.
The film also explores Sandra’s sexual relationship with another woman, an element that is used by the prosecutor to strengthen the accusation against her. All this creates a rich material for the trial of Sandra, where lawyers plead and confront themselves with passion. The media and the public are also interested in the case, giving rise to debates on the guilt and innocence of Sandra. The film thus exhibits ethical and moral questions, arousing reflections on the values of life and the consequences of our actions.
The director, Justine Triet, chooses to present Sandra as a serious and rational woman, far from the sympathy stereotypes. Despite the trials she crosses, Sandra tries to keep a certain distance, which makes her vulnerable to attacks and manipulations. Spectators therefore find themselves in an unusual position for a judicial drama, where the search for the truth and the conviction of the innocence of heroine seem less important than the reflection on the ideas surrounding her life and his family.
The film raises deep questions about our responsibility in the events that occur in our lives. How to face an accident that breaks an irreparable relationship? How can the success of a partner turn into destructive jealousy? What is the ethics of using our own experiences in our artistic creation? The film tackles these questions without giving definitive answers, inviting spectators to think and find their own answers.
The visual aspect of the film is also remarkable, with a creative use of the camera to express the emotions of the characters. The close plans capture the intense eyes of Sandra and those who judge her, thus strengthening dramatic tension. The flashback scenes are skillfully integrated into the story, adding additional layers to history and offering subtle clues to the truth.
The performance of German actress Sandra Hüller, who plays the main role, is simply captivating. Its presence on the screen is magnetic, capturing the viewer’s attention at every moment. She brings subtlety and emotional depth to her character, transmitting the complexities of her emotions with accuracy. Language is not a barrier for her, juggling between French, English and German with ease. His performance is a tour de force, one of the undeniable strengths of the film. It deserved the price of best female interpretation, but the regulations of the festival prohibited to accumulate other prices with the palm of gold.
The young Milo Machado Graner was also excellent in his role as young visually impaired adolescent, torn in the face of this responsibility he carries by testifying in this trial which must determine whether his mother killed or not his dad and who finds himself listening to all their family stories and attending the dissection of their couple.
However, it can be noted that the Border Collie Snoop won the Palm Dog 2023 for its performance in the film. As the companion of the visually impaired boy, he plays an important role and impressed the Palm Dog jury by his performance, especially in a scene where he appears sick.
Unfortunately, despite the qualities of the film, the director caused a controversy When there is a prize in Cannes. His political speech overshadowed his work, diverting the attention of the public and the media from whether the film or not deserves the Palme d’Or. This controversy polarized public opinion and unfortunately concealed the intrinsic qualities of the film.
Neïla Driss
