Léa Drucker is very convincing as President of the Republic faced with her destiny in yesterday’s world of Diastema, on the screens Wednesday, March 30. Denis Podalydès as secretary general of the Elysée is a choice that was essential. The film contributes to the renewal of a French socio-political cinema in tune with current events, alongside Goliath Where Another world.
President of the Republic at the end of her term, Elisabeth de Raincy does not represent herself before the voters, knowing that she is sick and claimed by her daughter. She learns that her potential successor will be mowed down by a scandal that will offer the ballot box to the far-right candidate. The only alternatives: to represent himself at the last minute, or to compromise his political opponent.
Diasteme produces a curious political thriller in which the first President of the Republic in France is faced with a dilemma between her private life and her responsibilities in a country that is going to extremes. We recognize in the politicians of the film figures like Nicolas Sarkozy when he was Prime Minister, played by Benjamin Biolay, or Jacques Chrirac as the announced victorious candidate, played by Jacques Weber. The last-minute scandal, even if it is not of the same nature, recalls the Fillon affair, the story of the briefcase, the financing of Nicolas Sarkozy’s electoral campaign, and the incursion of the Russia in the French election is reminiscent of that of 2017. Discreet echoes that participate in the many interests of a film that seems to be filmed from the inside.
The thickness of the characters imposes itself thanks to the writing and a remarkable interpretation of Léa Drucker and Denis Podalydès, perfect as secretary general of the Elysée, in fact second person of the State. Their intimacy in the exercise of power is one of the most beautiful evocations of the film. The spectator is like a little mouse under the golds of the Republic, in the president’s room, and in the alcoves where the rapprochements and confrontations that result in political choices are played out. But it is also unofficial maneuvers that are decided there, based on confidential information, not disclosed to the public.
Diasteme becomes an entomologist of this parallel and so concrete world, by establishing a beautiful balance between fiction and reality. Discreet in its staging, this sobriety in the service of realism becomes elegant. A perfume of the end of a world emanates from the yesterday’s world, in the disenchantment of lost ideals in the face of the dismantling of democracies in the world. A great political film that confirms the quality of current French cinema: a good reason to return to theaters.
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Kind : Drama
Director: Diastema
Actors : Léa Drucker, Denis Podalydès, Alban Lenoir, Benjamin Biolay, Jacques Weber, Thierry Godard, Emma de Caunes, Jeanne Rosa
Duration : 1h29
Country : France
Exit : March 30, 2022
Distributer : Distribution Pyramid
Synopsis : Elisabeth de Raincy, President of the Republic, has chosen to retire from political life. Three days before the first round of the presidential election, she learns from her Secretary General, Franck L’Herbier, that a scandal from abroad will splatter her designated successor and give victory to the far-right candidate. They have three days to change the course of history.