User reviews

This is probably the greatest french movie of this decade. A dramatic story based on "Mort d'un silence", a book written by Clemence Boulouque, one of the leaders of the new generation of literature. As in most of the great books and movies, the autobiographical part can't be neglected. The story centers around a relationship between a father and a daughter. A relationship which was very short and took a long time to be expressed through words and images. Gilles Boulouque was a French judge who investigated the terrorist attacks which occurred in Paris in the mid-80's. Many people died and Jacques Chirac, the Prime Minister at the time, took a very harsh stand to assure the French that the terrorists and those who helped them would be hunted and taken care of. The judge did his job, well, too well. He quickly discovered the Iranian link to the attacks. In a behind the scenes agreement, France bowed its head to threats of further terrorist actions and kidnappings. Henceforth, when Gilles Boulouque wanted to question the number 2 in the Iranian embassy, the "Raison d'Etat" started to hit him hard. Journalists, politicians, but also judges turned their backs to integrity. Gilles Boulouque was even at the center of the Presidential debate in 1988, between Mitterand and Chirac, between two layers of lies. Clemence Boulouque doesn't pretend to avenge her father. She only wants the truth to have its deserved share of historical right. To express her despair for all those moments missed when he was too busy with his important work, when fear surrounded them via threats and the continuous presence of bodyguards. Clemence the author and Gilles the judge, but most of all Clemence the daughter and Gilles the father. The story also of Gilles' wife who not only had to sooth the pain but face slander from the press. Her support helped Gilles to keep holding on for a long time amid the pressures. But even the strength of that woman and the smiles of a daughter couldn't act as eternal bullet-proof jackets under heavy fire. After Gilles shot himself, Clemence and her mother tried to lead "normal" lives. Clemence studied, worked and went to live in the USA, ... in 2001. Two towers later, the nightmares of terrorism came back. With the help of archives and taxicabs, Clemence takes us on her road, her reflections, her experiences along with Elsa Zylberstein's beautiful narration.