Mercy on Arte: as if Chabrol had returned disguised as Buñuel (review)

An enjoyable and witty filmmaker, Alain Guiraudie creates a mystical western with the appearance of a farce which also knows how to be disturbing.

Arte is broadcasting Miséricorde this Wednesday evening (also available in streaming for one month on Arte.TV). Alain Guiraudie’s 7th feature film is by far the biggest success of the director’s career, with nearly 230,000 admissions in France. Presented at the Cannes Film Festival in 2024, it was also nominated eight times for the César and awarded the Louis-Delluc prize. And it’s a real favorite of the Première editorial team. Our review:

Alain Guiraudie’s latest film calls for transcendence and delirious mysticism, less for forgiveness or even compassion as the title suggests. Everyone here lies about their true intentions. Duplicity prevails. It starts off like a western. A young man returns to his village of Aveyron. If he moved, the former best friend, not really. Although, feelings do not necessarily need to see the country to flourish…