All eure Gesichter

One film, one theme, two storylines. A confrontation between victims and perpetrators, which should have added value for each side. The one in which people with no direct connection meet seems to bring the desired insights and peace. Naive, but perhaps. Aversion, getting to know each other, understanding. Just a film, idealistic. But at least one that literally shows its colours regarding the perpetrators of the current crime terror over Europe. Of course, the usual explanations and excuses for the escalation of character are used: poverty, education, opportunities. Yawn. Everyone chooses their own exits at the crossroads of morality. But yes, otherwise this film would certainly not have ended up on the big screen, or would have been crucified by the media instead of being showered with awards. In my opinion, the softening of concepts such as perpetrator, victim and guilt are questionable approaches and primarily benefit injustice.

The other side works less well in its catharsis. Understandably, the resurgence of all pain through direct contact with the perpetrator is an emotional one-way street.

I went to see the film because it featured some of the cinematic greats of French cinema, but I can only recommend it to a limited extent. No resonance, no added value. Nevertheless, it is a high-quality production, well acted and at least endeavours to keep its feet on the ground. If I imagine this as a German production, ouch.

The topic is not the same, but the overall atmosphere and more or less scheme, kind of drama, reminded me TWELVE ANGRY MEN, a story which takes mostly place in one room - whithout being a trial - involving people, men and woman, victims and perpetrators, facing each other, and trying to talk, explaining, showing, confessing what they felt....it has never been done before and that makes it even more powerful, astounding. It is purely stunning. Terrific dialogues. However, I can understand that some audiences may be annoyed , because it is naive, unrealistic. That's a matter of taste, point of view, that depends of which angle you watch it. Something is wrong in the story lines, when a young hoodlums speaks of a home jacking where he and his pals took credit cards with the secret code to retrieve money from the cash machines. In France, with a credit card - stolen or not - you can retrieve ONLY 400 euros each week. So when this hoodlum says that one of his pals bought a new motorcycle with his share of the loot, that's not possible.... The hoodlums could only at best retrieve 400 euros. Because a few hours after the homejacking, the victimes have necessarily declared the robbery to their bank. 400 euros shared between three, that's doesn't allow anyone to buy a new motorcycle. No way. And the most unusual is that you have two different stories in this film: the group and Chloée character problems with her half brother. They never meet. Strange but why not.

No pun intended - why do people do the things they do? Don't they realize their actions have consequences? Quite big ones to the people they are doing them to ... too. This pits victims and perpetrators together in a room ... and it can be explosive, but mostly informative ... what happens, how self reflective can they be and become? You'll have to watch to find out.

The acting is amazing to say the least. Considering that most of the movie plays in one room, the dynamic, the script and the dialog has to work ... and it does. You also have a family side story - with the same topic of sorts. But equally heavy ... if not heavier because emotions are way bigger with this one.

There are outbursts ... I did expect more, but it is ok, it is more about substance than about effect! And it works ... it may not be a solution for everyone - but it may be worth doing a program like that ... maybe it already exists. Really good movie ... with a somewhat hopeful message.

Je verrai toujours vos visages is part of a recent wave of French cinema that sheds light on the public institutions' efforts to heal woes in society and help the vulnerable. Basically, the "Fraternité" in the French Republic motto "Liberté - Egalité - Fraternité."

So, if you have enjoyed watching Hors Normes, or Pupille, this movie should be a positive experience for you.

You may have read the plot. You may be concerned that the movie is too emotionally heavy. That life is already painful and you are not in the mood for a movie tackling an issue so serious. Rest assured: the movie is not all suffering. Go for it. You will learn something or two, including the value of compassion.

One element of disappointment for me is the packaging of the stories together into a movie. The movie switches between two different stories, and I was personally not convinced that there is any real synergy between them. It feels like each story was not enough for one movie, so they glued the two together. Or that the creators were keen on showing different missions undertaken by the Restorative Justice system. Likewise, the movie delves randomly and somewhat superficially at the personal lives of the public agents. We get sneak peaks every now and then that we could have done without. Too much and at the same time not enough.

In short, good story but the salt and pepper of the movie could have been better seasoned.

Authentic. It is the first word that comes to my mind after watching this French film. Victims and criminals meet in mediation with the aim of somehow coming to terms with painful experiences and moving on. So simple, but obviously very difficult.

The film is very good at conveying all the layers that exist in both the victims and the aggressors. It feels like a mixture of documentary and drama, but above all this film is insightful and strong in its narrative. In any case, what is striking is how important communication is. To meet, to tell, to look each other in the eye. Bearing in mind that 80 percent of offenders in prison commit new crimes (a fact in my home country), the film shows another and important angle of focus on changing behaviour. For the victims, this form of mediation means a high price, re-traumatisation and an experience of losing the little control they at least feel they have. But the way also gives them hope for change.

The film does not give any conclusion as to whether this is the right way to focus on crime, but it at least tells us that there are opportunities to move forward.

Very good character actors provide an intensity and nerve that is often missing in films today. Without them, this film's message would not have been as powerful as it is here.

The film has many strong moments, and you will certainly not sit back unmoved after watching it.