MOVIE REVIEW
Planet B (Planète B)
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Genre: Sci-Fi, Thriller
Year Released: 2024
Runtime: 1h 58m
Director(s): Aude Léa Rapin
Writer(s): Aude Léa Rapin
Cast: Adèle Exarchopoulos, Souheila Yacoub, Eliane Umuhire, India Hair, Souleymane Touré, Jonathan Couzinié, Léo Chalié
Language: French with English subtitles
Where To Watch: shown at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival

RAVING REVIEW: Welcome to the future, 2039—a year not defined by flying cars but by its poignant reflection on human resilience and struggle. At the center of this narrative whirlwind is PLANET B, a film whose landscapes mold the emotional and psychological boundaries of its lead, Julia Bombarth (Adèle Exarchopoulos). Director Aude Léa Rapin captured this journey in her second feature film, which delves deep into the crevices of political and personal battlegrounds, with Julia emerging in the bizarre and stress-filled world of PLANET B.

Rapin's filmmaking trajectory has transitioned from documenting raw, real-world conflicts to creating expansive, fictional realms that challenge the spirit and question freedom. With PLANET B, she utilizes her background in documentary filmmaking to etch a narrative that is both a personal odyssey and a societal critique. This blend of fact and fiction provides a unique depth to the film’s exploration of authoritarianism and resistance. The film is a grounded sci-fi exploration focusing on the human element.

The film leads Exarchopoulos and Souheila Yacoub as Nour navigates a world unraveling at the seams. Supported by a diverse ensemble, the actors delve into a spectrum of emotions, crafting a portrayal of life on the edge. These performances paint a striking picture of turmoil and tenacity, highlighting the personal stakes within a collapsing societal structure.

Cinematographer Jeanne Lapoirie and art director Eve Martin play pivotal roles in contrasting the harsh realities of the characters’ world with the ethereal qualities of PLANET B. This stark dichotomy enhances the film's thematic explorations, making the transition between the harsh world around them and the surreal of PLANET B visually arresting and rich in detail. The settings, rife with decay and a sense of lost grandeur, amplify the film’s dark undertones.

Rapin’s approach to PLANET B's non-linear narrative structure mirrors its protagonist's internal chaos, enhancing the audience's immersion. This method not only disorients but also gradually layers the narrative, revealing a symbolic landscape where oppression's physical and psychological territories are mapped out precisely. The depth of the film addresses pressing global issues like surveillance and the erosion of freedoms, resonating with a contemporary audience familiar with these themes.

PLANET B's soundscape, crafted by Margot Testemale and Fanny Weinzaepflen, adds another layer of immersion, intensifying the viewing experience, particularly in the more abstract segments of the film. Bertrand Bonello's score interlaces with the narrative, punctuating the film's emotional landscape and enhancing its climactic moments.

The film is a provocative discussion of the mechanisms of control and the spirit of defiance. Rapin's film blends elements of political allegory and deep character study, challenging viewers to ponder the complexities of societal resistance and personal identity.

PLANET B stands as a testament to the enduring human spirit, urging a reflective and critical examination of our paths in the face of societal challenges. It’s a call to action, a reminder of the power of individual and collective resistance in shaping a future that reflects justice and equality.

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[photo courtesy of STUDIO CANAL, LE PACTE, LES FILMS DU BAL, WRONG MEN]

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