36 Quai des Orfèvres
111'
France
IFFR 2017
Once upon a time, Simon and Franck both worked for the police. They were good at their jobs – but less brilliant off duty. After a drink-driving accident, Simon has to leave the service and finds work driving an armored car. A cruel twist of fate reunites the two when Simon’s son witnesses a gangland killing and is targeted by a furious mob of Serbian drug dealers – the exact same group Franck is investigating…
This might be crime action 1.01 – keep-your-eye-on-the-prize-basic and almost defiantly free of all psychological ballast. Undiluted genre fare. Its execution, on the other hand, is Champions League. Fred Cavayé, France’s new master craftsman in all matters chase, gun play and mano a mano, keeps things moving fast and furious through a Toulon that probably never looked better – attractive, almost seductive in a somewhat disquieting, dark way.
IFFR 2017