EXCLUSIVELY AT THE IFI

Winner of the Jury Prize at Cannes last year, this compellingly immersive procedural following the Paris police’s child protection unit marks a career breakthrough for actress turned writer-director Maïwenn. With some of her country’s best character actors at her disposal – including Karin Viard as the officer facing a disintegrating marriage, and Frédéric Pierrot as the team leader battling snooty superiors – she turns exhaustive research into a convincing and intense survey of the city’s daily front line of child sex cases.

The material is not sanitised, yet it’s portrayed with the utmost sensitivity, as is evident from the incredibly fresh and touching contributions from the junior cast. Most impressive of all though, notwithstanding the shocking and emotive subject, is how it never loses sight of the bigger picture. Can we continue to love and hope when we see the worst of mankind? Potent stuff indeed, and that’s Maïwenn herself playing the documentary photographer embedded with this hard-bitten crew. (Notes by Trevor Johnston.)

Our French Film Club screening in June will be Maïwenn Le Besco’s Polisse on June 26^th at 20.30. IFI and Alliance Française members can avail of a special discounted ticket price of €7 for this screening by booking with the IFI Box Office on 01 679 3477. Anyone can join this Club by simply leaving a name and email address with Box Office staff when visiting.