Twenty Godsthe first feature film by Louise Courvoisier, immerses the viewer in the authentic daily life of the Jura with remarkable sensitivity. The film succeeds in capturing the essence of this rural region through several key aspects: The regional language, the making of the county and immersion in the daily life of a courageous youth.
Twenty Gods reminds us a lot of Amanda by Mikhaël Hers. As for the music, it is very reminiscent of that of The Black Collegethe series broadcast on DNA. Twenty Gods et The Black College shares a culture of cheese, country life and the great outdoors. One is in the Jura while the other takes place lost in the panoramas of Auvergne.
By highlighting the characters' pronounced Jura accent, the film immediately anchors the story in its region and reinforces the authenticity of the story. That of a young man having to learn maturity and responsibilities against a backdrop of strong regional heritage. Totone has no choice, he must learn to change his life as a young party boy and try to save his family, that is to say his sister.
Alongside this, we have an immersion in the making of Comté. Indeed, the director gives a central place to the production of Comté, a regional treasure. The manufacturing process is described in detail, from the collection of milk at 4 a.m. to the precise actions of the artisan cheese maker. This attention to traditional techniques underlines the importance of food heritage in regional identity. And even the way in which we will show this desire of Totone to want to make cheese firstly to obtain a price, but also to continue his father's work.
A youth between parties and work
The film accurately depicts a youth caught between two worlds:
– Local festivities with balls, village festivals and racing cars are all opportunities for young people to have fun and get together.
– Hard work. At the same time, the film shows the reality of agricultural and cheese work, with its constraints and difficulties.
This duality is embodied by Totone, who must juggle his family responsibilities, his desire to produce the best Comté, and his social life with his friends. His whole life is nothing more than a struggle between compromises and desires. And it is in this fragmented daily life that the director offers a realistic and poetic approach to the lives of her heroes.
Louise Courvoisier manages to create a subtle balance between social realism and poetic dimension. It enhances the beauty of the Jura landscapes while remaining anchored in the socio-economic reality of the region. This approach allows the viewer to fully immerse themselves in the world of the film, feeling both the harshness and the beauty of rural life.
By combining all these elements, Twenty Gods offers a touching and authentic portrait of Jura youth, bringing the viewer into the daily life of a region rich in traditions and challenges. A touching dramatic comedy carried by a range of promising actors and actresses!
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⭐⭐⭐
Rating: 3 out of 5.
December 11, 2024 indoors | 1h 30min | Drame
By Louise Courvoisier |
By Louise Courvoisier, Théo Abadie
With Clément Faveau, Maïwène Barthelemy, Luna Garret
