“Humanité 1999” is a French film that follows the life of a police officer in a small village. The movie is a meditation on humanity and our place in the world. It’s slow-paced and introspective, with minimal dialogue and long takes that capture the stillness of the rural setting. Through his interactions with the people around him, we see the protagonist grapple with love, loss, and his own spiritual uncertainty. The film’s imagery is hauntingly beautiful, with shots of misty landscapes and flickering flames that suggest both warmth and danger. Overall, “Humanité 1999” is a powerful exploration of what it means to be human in an often chaotic world.
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Review
As the morning sun crept lazily over the rolling hills of Northern France, I sat down to watch a movie that promised to expose the raw and unfiltered emotions of humanity. Jeanne (Severine Caneele) is a young woman who lives in a small town in rural France. She works as a police lieutenant with an uncanny ability to read people’s inner thoughts. Her colleague, Georges (Philippe Tullier), is a seasoned detective who takes pride in his work but struggles to navigate the complexities of human emotions.
The opening scenes of “Humanité” are quiet and meditative, reminiscent of Hemingway’s contemplative prose. The camera lingers on the lush green landscape, accentuating Jeanne’s sense of isolation and her longing for human connection. Her work as a police detective involves dealing with some grotesque crimes, which further highlight her emotional vulnerability.
The plot intensifies when an 11-year-old girl is found brutally murdered on the outskirts of the village. Jeanne leads the investigation with Georges by her side, but soon finds herself spiraling into a web of conflicting emotions and disturbing thoughts.
The characterisation in “Humanité” is phenomenal, each character seemingly embodying their own unique idiosyncrasies and quirks that Hemingway himself would no doubt appreciate. Jeanne’s almost uncomfortable fascination with sex contrasts sharply against Georges’ deep sadness; his wife has left him for another woman and he is stuck between his principles and his desire for revenge.
Caneele delivers a standout performance as Jeanne, effortlessly conveying her characters inner turmoil through subtle physical gestures and facial expressions that leave one questioning whether she is losing or finding herself throughout her journey.
Complementing Caneele’s performance was Philippe Tullier portrayal of Georges; understated yet powerful – it felt like two halves dividing our attention between their stories.
Director Bruno Dumont undoubtedly deserves praise for creating a film that captures the poetic intensity of Hemingway’s prose. He balances contemplative moments with the raw emotional states of his characters, leading us through their journey without ever once allowing us to lose sight of the fact that we are all just human.
The score was minimalist, adding to the overall atmosphere of the film without ever intruding on it, and the cinematography was breathtaking – capturing nature in its purest form whilst simultaneously highlighting man’s potential for cruelty.
The film is not for everyone, as Hemingway would say: “there is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed”. “Humanité” is a bleeding work of art that requires one to fully immerse themselves in its world and allow themselves to be carried through the story.
Critically acclaimed and thought-provoking, “Humanité” has won several awards including Grand Prix at Cannes Film Festival in 1999. It’s a poignant reminder that sometimes it’s not about what happens but how we react to it – exposing our humanity for all its flaws and beauty. A cinematic experience truly deserving of our attention.
Technical Data
- Release : 1999-09-10
- Runtime : 148
- Genre : Drama, Mystery
- Cast : Emmanuel Schotté as Pharaon De Winter, Séverine Caneele as Domino, Philippe Tullier as Joseph, Ghislain Ghesquère as Police Chief, Ginette Allègre as La mére de Pharaon
- Crew : Thierry Saelens as Stunts, Jacques Monge as Steadicam Operator, Rachid Bouchareb as Producer, Jean Bréhat as Producer, Muriel Merlin as Unit Manager
- Revenue : 0
- Budget : 0
- Company : PROCIREP, CNC, Canal+
- Popularity : 5.453
- Summary : When an 11-year-old girl is brutally raped and murdered in a quiet French village, a police detective who has forgotten how to feel emotions – because of the accidental death of his own family -investigates the crime. What he finds may create more questions than answers.
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