LA MECANIQUE DE L'OMBRE/ SCRIBE/ THE EAVESDROPPER

France, 2016, 91 minutes, Colour.
François Cluzet, Denis Podalydes, Sami Bouajila,Simon Abkarian, Alba Rohrwacher.
Directed by Thomas Kruithof.

This is a film which will remind movie buffs of Francis Ford Coppola 70s film, The Conversation, surveillance, conspiracies and the drama of those caught up in the conspiracies.

François Cluzet portrays Duval, a loner who is sacked from his work, a drinker. Three years pass. He has joined a group for his problem but is now unemployed, being interviewed, failing to get jobs.

A mysterious authority played by Denis Podalydes interviews him and offers him a job, isolated in a room, transcribing cassettes, all detailed, numbered, with strict rules as to how Duval should work. Then an intermediary, Gerfaut (Simon Abkarian) appears, seeming to supervise, erratic in his reactions to Duval, commenting on his behaviour, his work, even coffee-making. Then Duval is pressurised by Gerfaut to take part in a raid on the apartment which leads to the death of a worker.

The police intervene, arrest Duval and interrogate him, offering him a deal to work undercover for them to get information about this secret group. There is a hostage situation recorded in the tapes and deaths – and the later revelation about the political use of the situation.

Duval has met a young woman at his meetings and Began friendship. She is wary about his edginess – and she is later used by the organisation, threatened, a means to put pressure on Duval.

There is rather a melodramatic ending with Duval and guns and the rescue of the young woman.

1. The original title? The English titles? The terms and themes?

2. The French settings, urban settings, workplaces, politics, conspiracies?

3. The city, dark, work, interviews, offices, apartments, the streets? The musical score?

4. The credibility of the plot? The introduction to Duval, his life, his approach to his work, his drinking, dissatisfaction, being fired? The years passing? His drinking, the group and help? His being recruited, the interviews, the demands made on him? The work, transcriptions, mechanical, his not paying attention to the detail? Big requirements, timing, secrecy about his presence, and going home? Is not always following these instructions? The introduction of the supervisor, the intermediary with the authorities, accountability? His meetings, the encounters with Sarah, the friendship, touches of dependence?, The ambiguity of the relationship, his being asked to go to the apartment, the search, uncomfortable, the surveillance, the workmen, the attack, his death?

5. The role of the police, arresting and holding Duval, the commander? Duval and his distress, the interviews, his fears, the deal? Going back to work? Undercover? Continuing?

6. Sarah, the background, the meetings with Duval, their talking, going out, his edgy behaviour, her reactions? Her becoming involved, taken, held? The threats to Duval?

7. Clement, the interactions with Duval, explanations about the photo, Duval seeing Gerfaut tortured? The threats? The interrogation?

8. The political background, the political campaign? The personalities involved? Right-wing stances? The organisation, getting information, using it?

9. The hostage situation, the information coming through, Duval and his typing? The deaths? Gerfaut and the raid of the apartment, not finding the documents? Gerfaut and its
place in the organisation, his initiatives, his failures, tortured? The revelation about the hostage situation, the deaths, delaying the news until after the elections – and making political capital?

10. The buildup to the confrontation, Clement and the police chief, the offer of the deal, the implications, the bargaining?

11. At headquarters, the campaign, Duval and his presence, the police, the raid – and Duval with the gun, shooting?

12. Politics continuing despite manoeuvres and conspiracies behind the scenes?