35 Shots of Rum (2008)

Claire Denis is famous for making sensual and enigmatic movies. In this sense, 35 Shots of Rum is not a typical Clair Denis movies - even though it would be wrong to say that she makes only one type of movie; actually Denis is a rather versatile director. However, 35 Shots of Rum is characterized by something that is typical for all Denis' film: lack of sentimentality and a refusal to mold a film in accordance with familiar patterns.

A widowed train driver lives with his daughter, who is a student. They are close, even though there are also some tensions. From the get-go, we realize that these two people have a deep love for each other. The film follows the daily rituals and habits of these two, and the neighbors with whom they socialize. Here, habits don't evoke static repetition, but rather, we see people doing things in the middle of life where subtle changes and sometimes even drastic decision take place. Agnés Godard's cinematography works wonderfully here, focusing on movement not as going from A to B but as spatial dramas (watch the beautiful images of trains at night or the scenes with rice steamers) - this aspect is similar to other Denis movie, Beau Travail in particular (where movement becomes choreography). 35 Shots of Rum is not an abrasive film, but it works with concentration - everything is important. In this film, the nature of particular relationships are never spelled out verbally - Denis trusts us to look and see, as the relationships are established through various scenes in ordinary life, rather than as conflicts and confrontations. The relation between the two main characters and one of the neighbors, a taxi driver, is particularly haunting to watch. Denis manages to convey very subtle emotions, grief and loneliness, intimacy and a need to let go, without retreating to scenes in which everything is supposedly explained and resolved. I really feel that this movie invites you or immerses you in an extremely rich world - a world of spatiality, sound and emotions (and the political is always present, but in a quiet way, in this domestic drama). There are turning points, yes, but as in real life, their meaning is excessive (the scene in a small café is fantastic). As a portrait of a family reaching crossroads, 35 Shots of Rum is remarkable. The director herself talked about her admiration of Ozu and here that really shows.

And yes, Tindersticks made the musical score, and what an amazing complement that turns out to be!