Damien is a serious man, a dour lecturer who specialises in explaining Chinese business practices to French entrepreneurs. He may appear dull, but he strives to be good, protective of his son Noé and loyal to his partner, a chain-smoking, self-involved theatre director named Iva. Damien endeavours to prove his nobility when he offers to speak to his father, a high ranking judge, on behalf of a woman he has never met, an illegal immigrant threatened with deportation. Yet this proves easier said than done, and Damien bumbles around trying to do right despite being consistently let down by those around him. 

Pascal Bonitzer’s sly, witty drama is by turns touching and funny, with a subtly affecting performance from Jean-Pierre Bacri at its centre. Kristin Scott Thomas ably supports as Iva, a role that contrasts with her bravura turn in Only God Forgives. (Notes by Michael Hayden.)

FRENCH FILM CLUB
This film will be shown as our French Film Club screening, in partnership with the Alliance Française, on Monday, August 12th at 20.30. IFI and Alliance Française members can avail of a discounted ticket price of €7 for this screening (please request at the IFI Box Office when visiting or call 01 679 3477).