Dheepan (2015)

[Scottie]

With this Palme d’Or–winning drama, which deftly combines seemingly disparate genres, French filmmaker Jacques Audiard cemented his status as one of the titans of contemporary world cinema. In an arresting performance, the nonprofessional actor Antonythasan Jesuthasan (himself a former child soldier) stars as a Tamil fighter who, along with a woman and child posing as his wife and daughter, flees war-torn Sri Lanka only to land in a Paris suburb riddled with drugs. As the makeshift family embarks on a new life, Dheepan settles into an intimate social-realist mode, before tightening, gradually and organically, into a dynamic turf-war thriller, as well as an unsettling study of the psychological aftereffects of combat. Searing and sensitive, Audiard’s film is a unique depiction of the refugee experience as a continuous crisis of identity.

DIRECTOR-APPROVED SPECIAL EDITION

High-definition digital master, with 5.1 surround DTS-HD Master Audio soundtrack on the Blu-ray
Audio commentary from 2015 featuring director Jacques Audiard and coscreenwriter Noé Debré
New interview with Audiard
New interview with actor Antonythasan Jesuthasan
Deleted scenes with audio commentary by Audiard and Debré
Trailer
New English subtitle translation
PLUS: An essay by critic Michael Atkinson

https://www.criterion.com/films/29103-dheepan

[Hoke Moseley]

I really can't decide if I like the artwork or not...

[BenOswald]

Day one for me.

Just saw it (currently on US Netflix) and just as solid as his last 3x movies.

[javi92]

Bought the UK release, but I'll probably double dip anyway.

[kylec123]

Will probably pick this up once the next sale hits. I really love Audiard's stuff.

[captainron_howdy]

This film was nowhere near as good as "A Prophet" and the ending was completely lame. For this to win the golden palm over "the lobster", "son of saul", or "sicario" was embarrassing. IDK what the coen bros were smoking that day. Nothing special about this one at all, "Rust & Bone" was even better.

Only reason criterion is releasing is cause they have a deal w sundance selects and this was a cannes best pic winner.

[javi92]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

This film was nowhere near as good as "A Prophet" and the ending was completely lame. For this to win the golden palm over "the lobster", "son of saul", or "sicario" was embarrassing. IDK what the coen bros were smoking that day. Nothing special about this one at all, "Rust & Bone" was even better.

Only reason criterion is releasing is cause they have a deal w sundance selects and this was a cannes best pic winner.

Well, it's not like politics is never a factor at Cannes.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by javi92

Well, it's not like politics is never a factor at Cannes.

True, but Cannes ain't the oscars either, & this film became a joke at the end that reminded me of a hollywood action film no one knew how to end. So they just went with most cliched ending possible.

Leave it to the Americans as head of the jury right? Also the SS Spielberg giving Blue is the warmest color the golden palm over "Nebraska" "Venus In Fur" "Only God Forgives" & "The Great Beauty"

It's frustrating because this film had potential, & the cinematography was amazing in some parts. That's about it, ultimately the entire film falls flat. Maybe 6/10 and that's being nice. I thought "A Prophet" was pretty great.

Looking forward for Almodovar as the head of the jury this year.

Haneke, Polanski, & Bong joon-ho all may possibly have films in competition.

[tenia]

It's interesting how some movies are not analysed from what they objectively contains, but rather for the parts they contain and which can serve an already-made-up theory.

Another movie fallen for the course of overly politized analysis. Sad!

[AaronJ]

Originally Posted by captainron_howdy

True, but Cannes ain't the oscars either, & this film became a joke at the end that reminded me of a hollywood action film no one knew how to end. So they just went with most cliched ending possible.

Leave it to the Americans as head of the jury right? Also the SS Spielberg giving Blue is the warmest color the golden palm over "Nebraska" "Venus In Fur" "Only God Forgives" & "The Great Beauty"

Yeah, but Blue is the Warmest Color is the best of those films -- well, I haven't seen The Great Beauty. But of the others which I have seen, Blue was the best IMO.

[captainron_howdy]

Originally Posted by AaronJ

Yeah, but Blue is the Warmest Color is the best of those films -- well, I haven't seen The Great Beauty. But of the others which I have seen, Blue was the best IMO.

Nebraska is a near masterpiece & so is the great beauty, but IMO even Venus in fur was better than blue. IDK about that one.

I did give Dheepan another shot, I liked it more a second time around but I'm still not really on board. Some of the shots blew me away the second time tho.

[Ray Jackson]

I’m thinking about blind buying this, but have concerns about the rewatchability factor.

Even if I really like it, is it the kind of film that i’ll want to watch more than once or twice?

What type of film is it?

Any other films that you would compare it to?

...any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Aunt Peg]

Personally, I didn't care for the film and it was only watchable because of the performance of lead actress Kalieaswari Srinivasan. And it was better than the ludicrous Rust and Bone but that's a backhanded compliment at best. I can't think of anything I could compare it to in terms of the manner it deals with its subject matter. Maybe English Ken Loach realism through a French lens perhaps but that's a disservice to Ken Loach who has never turned in anything as bad some of Audiard's work.

I'm mixed on Audiard's work though and with Read My Lips, A Prophet & A Self Made Hero being his standout work for me. I recently gave The Beat My Heart Skipped a second go and still didn't care for it.

My advice is to try and rent Dheepan before buying.

[Ray Jackson]

Originally Posted by Aunt Peg

Personally, I didn't care for the film and it was only watchable because of the performance of lead actress Kalieaswari Srinivasan. And it was better than the ludicrous Rust and Bone but that's a backhanded compliment at best. I can't think of anything I could compare it to in terms of the manner it deals with its subject matter. Maybe English Ken Loach realism through a French lens perhaps but that's a disservice to Ken Loach who has never turned in anything as bad some of Audiard's work.

I'm mixed on Audiard's work though and with Read My Lips, A Prophet & A Self Made Hero being his standout work for me. I recently gave The Beat My Heart Skipped a second go and still didn't care for it.

My advice is to try and rent Dheepan before buying.

Appreciate your thoughts very much.

...anyone feel differently?

[anthonyls]

This is a good film... but not a great one. It is worth watching... but I can't see many people "needing" to own it. Probably best to just rent it (or borrow it from your local library).

[Hoke Moseley]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

Appreciate your thoughts very much.

...anyone feel differently?

It's not a re-watchable movie at all.

I'm a fan of Audiard and have no urge to ever watch Dheepan again.

[Warm Gun]

One of the worst player thumbnails ever, for spoiling the movie and making me anticipate the whole time

[Show spoiler]someone pointing a Glock at her face.