20th Century Women
118'
USA
IFFR 2017
National Treasure is expertly handled by writer Jack Thorne (co-author of the TV series based on This Is England), a sharp observer of British society, and director Marc Munden, who helped shape the weird cult TV conspiracy thriller Utopia (2013 - 2014), based on Operation Yewtree, a police investigation into child sex abuse allegations that targeted several British media personalities.
Here, a much-loved, aging comedian finds his world and family shaken after being accused of a rape dating back to the 1990s. Guilty or not? Thorne and Munden sketch an almost metaphysical thriller on guilt and doubt that owes much to actors Robbie Coltrane (gentle giant Hagrid in the Harry Potter films), who plays a figure you can’t help empathising with, Julie Walters and Andrea Riseborough (Birdman), who play his damaged wife and daughter. Munden’s direction creates unease through its framing, unexpectedly bright colours and lighting shroud the star in a celebrity aura which makes him seemingly untouchable and innocent.
Season 1, episodes 1 and 2.
IFFR 2017