Atarrabi et Mikelats

If ever a filmmaker could be called idiosyncratic and truly uncompromising, it is Eugène Green. For some 20 years, he has forged an absolutely unmistakable signature, informed by his fascination with Baroque thought and aesthetics, in films ranging from the somber TOUTES LES NUITS to subtly comic exercises including 2016’s LE FILS DE JOSEPH. Never one to do things the easy way, Green sets himself a daring challenge in his latest film – to tell a modern version of an ancient Basque legend complete with Basque dialogue, while maintaining the authentically antique, mythical essence of the original. A goddess leaves her two semi-god sons in the educational charge of the Devil. When they come of age, one decides to stay in the subterranean depths, while the other ventures into the world of humans to explore mortality, morality, and love. Told in Green’s characteristic style, with actors often facing the camera head on as they speak uninflected dialogue, the film echoes the director’s mediaeval outing THE LIVING WORLD, but ofers its own perspective on innocence and corruption, language and culture, and the mysteries of nature. The result is at once grave, mischievous and Greenean to the core. (Jonathan Romney)

In the presence of Eugène Green.

Eugène Green: MEMORIES (2007, Episode), A RELIGIOSA PORTUGUESA (2009), FAIRE LA PAROLE (2015), LE FILS DE JOSEPH (2016), EN ATTENDANT LES BARBARES (2017), COMO FERNANDO PESSOA SALVOU PORTUGAL (2018), GURE OROITZAPENAK (2018, Episode)