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
Félix Kysyl, Catherine Frot
France/Spain/Portugal
2024
In French with English subtitles
Book Tickets
Indigenous & Community Access
Indigenous Access Tickets Community Access Tickets Ticket Donation Requests
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
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
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Honeyjoon
A mother and her 20-something daughter take a holiday together in the Azores to mark the anniversary of the loss of their husband and father -- but maybe the honeymoon package wasn't the best idea...
Another World
This hit anime from Hong Kong gives us an unpredictable, sometimes darkly karmic tale taking place on either side of the afterlife involving a headstrong princess with bad karma and the spirit guide who tries to help her get on a better path.
Everybody to Kenmure Street
This rousing documentary (100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) never puts a foot wrong as it recreates a tense, prolonged stand-off between the police and the citizens of Glasgow when an Immigration Enforcement squad attempt to arrest two men from their homes.
