At a special screening of the 16th European Union Film Festival (EUFF) at GSC Mid Valley recently, I caught the film Dead Man Talking. Directed by Patrick Ridremont who plays the protagonist, the film has garnered the Magritte Awards 2013 (Best Production Design, Best Film, Best Director, Best Script) and Lumiere Awards 2014 (Nominated for Best French-Language Foreign Film).
The opening scene of the film is sombre, an ominous sign to something grave happening. The setting is dark, depicting a raining scene. A man can be seen sitting in a cell deep in his thoughts. He is remembering the crime he committed, the murder he is held accounted for. Minutes later, he is taken for execution via lethal injection. The man is William Pascal Lamers.
However, what is supposed to be a mere formality rapidly becomes a nightmare for the prison director. When William is asked if he wishes to say something before he dies, William begins to tell the story of his life and recounts on an incredible, moving tale. But as the law does not define the duration of how long a condemned prisoner’s final words can be, and as the Governor does not want to risk his position in the election, it is decided that William can tell his story all the way through. In fact, as no time limit is set, Lamer’s recount of his life till after midnight results in his execution being adjourned to the next day. This sparks a controversy, an opportunity in which the politicians used to garner more votes.
What seems to revolve just around an execution of a man who committed a crime initially has turned into a political phenomenon. William is then offered a strange deal: to speak as not to die.
Dead Man Talking is not a typical action-packed movie. It draws on themes of humanity, freedom, of what it means to live and to have dreams. Despite its seriousness, the film also evokes some elements of humour and questions about morality, of the uglier side of people, and about the things they can do to achieve their goals. Overall, this film is a clever play of emotions.
Watch the trailer here:
All EUFF films are presented in their original language with English subtitles. EUFF tickets are sold at RM7.50 (inclusive of GST), with the exception of GSC Movies’ title Purgatory. Three movies – The Chair of Happiness, A Gun in Each Hand and Only When I Dance – will be screened for free. Tickets can be purchased via GSC E-payment online, GSC Mobile App (IOS, Android & Windows Phone) or at participating GSC outlets.
