Should Victor Hugo be regarded as a ‘great genius’ or ‘like everybody’, a talented but flawed human being? This film is the comical yet sensitive dramatisation of an actor (superb Fabrice Luchini) facing the complexities of post-#MeToo culture both on stage and in life.
Since the #MeToo movement began, French cinema has been rocked by numerous sexual abuse scandals. A theme has emerged: exclusive veneration of ‘male genius’ in any art form creates an inherently abusive culture. So, what does that mean for a popular performer like Robert Zucchini – modelled on Fabrice Luchini who portrays him – whose stage act extols the “brilliance” of Victor Hugo? The actor collides not only with a feminist theatre troupe, but with the adult daughter from whose life he has been largely absent. How to square art with politics – and, even more importantly, with real-life relationships?
Former critic and prolific screenwriter Pascal Bonitzer has hit his stride as a director in recent years; Victor comme tout le monde is a crisp, sensitive, funny and moving account of contemporary dilemmas, beautifully scripted by Sophie Fillières (who died in 2023). The film achieves a rare balance: avoiding easy satire, it allows us to see all sides of the situation – including appreciation of Hugo as, indeed, a great writer.
– Adrian Martin
Film details
- Country of production
- France
- Year
- 2026
- Festival edition
- IFFR 2026
- Length
- 89'
- Medium/Format
- DCP
Shows of "Victor comme tout le monde"
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LantarenVenster 1In-personwith Q&AEnglish subtitledSoon available
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Pathé 7In-personwith Q&AEnglish subtitledSoon available
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de Doelen Willem Burger ZaalIn-personEnglish subtitledSoon available
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KINO 1In-personEnglish subtitledSoon available