Le Pédophile is a confronting short film about a young girl’s abuse. It is Montreal writer and director, Ara Ball’s third short film. Ball has been previously nominated for Canada’s annual cinema award, the Jutra. But this film is much darker and harder than his previous work.
The short is provocative in its portrayal of a paedophile- Robert (Patrick Renaud) who initially sits there reassuring himself about what an exceptional human being he is (for example: a polite accountant, a volunteer, a cook, etc). But he is also a sick man who abuses the young girl he is babysitting named Nina (Kennedy Brodeur) after she watches Cinderella the movie. The girl grows up to become a woman (Valérie Fortin) who exacts revenge on the predator along with her lover (Lesley Marie Reade) in a most graphic way.
The film cuts between the year 2000 and the point where the violence and exploitation first occurred. The film is full of extremes and there are swift changes in the mood and in particular in the music. At times the soundtrack feels like a dumb computer game which can be disorienting and even surreal at times. In short, Le Pédophile is a tough film to watch but it is ambitious in its execution and look at such a strong subject.
Review Score: TWO AND A HALF STARS (OUT OF FIVE)
————————-
Le Pédophile played at South by Southwest’s Midnight Shorts. For more information please visit: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_FS18461
———-
