Ratcatcher + Beau Travail

Our Party Like It’s 1999 series, celebrating the 25th Anniversaries of notable film classics, continues with a double-feature screening of Lynne Ramsay’s Ratcatcher, followed by Claire Denis’ Beau Travail.

Nominated for the Un Certain Regard award at the Cannes Film Festival, and winner of the Best Director award from Chicago International Film Festival and London Critics Circle, Ratcatcher is a haunting and poetic exploration of childhood set against the backdrop of 1973 Glasgow. The film follows a 12-year-old hoy named James (William Eadie) as he navigates a world marred by poverty, neglect, and a city’s ongoing garbage strike. Following a tragic accident involving a friend, James struggles with feelings of guilt and isolation, finding solace in dreams of escaping his squalid surroundings. A poignant blend of stark realism and lyrical imagery, capturing the fragile beauty of a child’s perspective amidst harsh realities, Ratcatcher received wide critical and audience acclaim for its evocative storytelling, and Ramsay’s distinct directorial voice.

Winner of several international awards, including the Boston Society of Film Critics Award for Best Foreign Language Film, Beau Travail is a mesmerizing and visually arresting film that reimagines Herman Melville’s “Billy Budd” against the stark, sun-drenched landscapes of Djibouti. The story centers on the enigmatic and disciplined Sergeant Galoup (masterfully played by Denis Lavant), who serves in the French Foreign Legion. Galoup’s psyche unravels into a web of jealousy and repressed desire when he encounters a young, charismatic recruit named Sentain (Grégoire Colin), leading to a deep obsession deftly communicated by a series of intense, almost dreamlike sequences. Denis’s masterful direction, combined with Agnès Godard’s stunning cinematography, creates a hypnotic, meditative experience that lingers long after the credits roll.

Enjoy these two international classics for the price of one film!