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Misericordia film image; a mom checks on her son while he sleeps

Misericordia

Miséricorde

Panorama

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Writer-director Alain Guiraudie (Stranger By the Lake) serves up a twisted tale of seduction set in the picturesque French countryside. Returning to beautiful Saint-Martial for the funeral of his former boss, Jérémie (Félix Kysyl) becomes the object of attraction for widow Martine (Catherine Frot). The situation greatly displeases Martine’s son Vincent (Jean-Baptiste Durand), and soon enough there is bloodshed in the woods. Jérémie then finds himself contending with the attention of the police and the amorous intentions of the local abbot (Jacques Develay)…

Edgy, eccentric, and unapologetically queer, Misericordia is also notable for the daring way it blurs boundaries: between maternal love and sexual desire, between violent animosity and same-sex attraction, between natural charisma and crafty calculation. Along with suspense and surprise, Guiraudie generates a subtle, slowly escalating humour; the shift from menace to comedy is executed with wonderful grace. In its movement from the bedroom to the confession booth and back, this film provides a discomfiting, darkly amusing take on human psychology.

 

Community Partner

Director
Cast

Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot

Credits
Country of Origin

France/Spain/Portugal

Year

2024

Language

In French with English subtitles

Film Contact
Links
18+
103 min
Comedy Drama LGBTQIA2S+
A Cg Cinéma, Scala Films, Arte France Cinéma, Andergraun, Films, Rosa Filmes

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Credits & Director

Producer

Charles Gillibert

Screenwriter

Alain Guiraudie

Cinematography

Claire Mathon

Editor

Jean-Christophe Hym

Production Design

Emmanuelle Duplay

Original Music

Marc Verdaguer

Alain Guiraudie headshot; Misericordia director

Alain Guiraudie

Alain Guiraudie is a French filmmaker acclaimed known for films like The King of Escape (2009) and Staying Vertical (2016). Guiraudie has garnered critical praise for his exploration of sexuality and human desire. His most notable film, Stranger by the Lake (2013), won the Queer Palm and Best Director Award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Filmography: No Rest for the Braves (2003); Time Has Come (2005); The King of Escape (2009); Stranger by The Lake (2013); Staying Vertical (2016); Nobody’ Hero (2021)

Photo by Helene Bamberger

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