Polisse

Polisse is a difficult film to define. Based on real-life cases dealt with by the Child Protection Unit covering the 19th arrondissement (borough or quarter) of Paris, it could possibly be called a docudrama, although it does not cover events of historical significance.

Maïwenn, who wrote, directed and featured in the film as a photojournalist shadowing the unit, spent time herself with such a unit for research. All the cases featured in the film are supposed to have taken place while she was there or were recounted to her at that time. It is this that gives the film its lifelike, gritty quality. Indeed, the first scene plunges straight into an interview with a little girl who claims her father is molesting her, and is swiftly followed by other similar interviews with suspected paedophiles, victims and accusers. Despite the obviously very serious subject of the film, humorous moments pepper the script, which successfully highlights the tragicomic ludicrousness of some of the situations they encounter.

Alongside the cases of child molesting and underage rape that the team deals with on a day- to-day basis, the film delves into the complex personalities of the characters, who are at times tender and patient, and at others frustrated, angry and even violent. We are privy to the emotional strain the job has on these police officers and the effects on their personal lives, their marriages and relationships with their children. Special bonds also develop between them, and their intimacy and affinity is so well portrayed that it is easy to forget that this is in fact a film and not simply a documentary.

Though Polisse, like real life, does not really follow a plot line, and we never find out if the criminals are actually brought to justice, one does not become bored or frustrated or ever wonder where the film is going. In fact, just like the TV series The Wire to which it has been compared, it is the lack of obvious direction of the film that ultimately makes it all the more powerful and effective.

An authentic gem. A real one. Not a thriller nor a crime movie. Actually, this amazing feature reminds me Xavier Beauvois' LE PETIT LIEUTENANT, released in 2005. The real picture, poignant, terrific life of the daily procedural life of cops. Here, it is the child protection squad; a bunch of men and women who fight against child molesters, people who sometimes rape their own children !!! Policemen and women who have to face the ugliness, the most disgusting side of the real life. In this film, you cry, laugh, feel your heart under pressure when watching this wonderful performance given by the actors, so close to reality. Yes, the characters, and not only the cops, look real ones. A powerful, vivid movie that may give you the feeling to be hit by an express train.

The ending is really awful, but I won't tell you more. Go and see this masterpiece. Now!!!

What an excellent film!

Full of good dialogue that feels real and down to earth it was not surprising to hear Maiwenn say (at the Sydney Film Festival Q&A) she had spent time with the real CPU. The reality of the emotions and the truthfulness of the situations this team faced was evident and really made the difference to this film.

What stops the review getting full marks is the films tendency to let some of the less interesting scenes play for too long. Oddly it's also the love story she included to make the film seem less bleak and Maiwenn's own character that become unnecessary and make the movie overburdened and run a little too long.

The cast is absolutely fantastic and engaging. Their relationships heartfelt and natural; you would think they had been playing this together for years.

This is a movie of the tougher, grimy side of a city. It presents the human behaviours we shudder to believe exist. And yet, handled so superbly, you will not feel wrung out or overwhelmed. It's a terrific movie that will have you talking for a long time.

The average time that someone can work in child protection is two years. Some last longer, or there would not be supervisors, but it is a rough business, as this film depicts.

What should grab you is that they move from case to case without any continuity. This is the real world of child protection. You deal with a druggie mother today, a pederast grandfather tomorrow, and neglected or abused children the next day.

Some may find the language off-putting, but that is the way it is. You are under such stress during work, that you have to relieve it somehow after you get off. It may be crude, but it is effective.

I can also relate to those who lose it occasionally. You can put your heart and soul into this job, and get frustrated easily by parents and the bureaucracy.

The film may have been actors, but it has a documentary feel as they portray the action as it really happens.

In Paris, the photographer Melissa (Maïwenn) is assigned by the Ministry of the Interior to document the daily activities of the BPM – the Police Division for Child Protection under the command of Chief Baloo (Frederic Pierrot).

Along the days, Melissa witnesses and takes photos of pedophiles, children and women abusers and abused and befriends the team of detectives, sharing their investigations along the working days and leaning how their jobs affect their private lives. Soon she has a love affair with the sensitive and emotive Detective Fred (Joeystarr).

"Polisse" is an entertaining French docudrama about a team of police officers responsible to protect children from abuses. The screenplay uses ellipsis and it seems that is based on true stories. It is good to see how the team works and their relationship outside the work, showing that the officers are human beings with families and problems affected by their work.

The weakest part is the character Melissa, with her touristic and unprofessional camera, and taking her glasses off and loosening her hair in a silly behavior. My vote is seven.

Title (Brazil): "Polissia" ("Polisse")