BORIS SANS BERENICE/ BORIS WITHOUT BERENICE
Canada, 2016, 93 minutes, Colour.
James Hyndman, Simone Elisethe, Girard, Denis Lavant.
Directed by Denis Cote.
A film from French-speaking Canada, a drama about the businessman, his politician-wife who is some physical and mental collapse, and how they will handle this unusual situation.
James independent is a strong presence as pompous, Russian background, the successful businessman, with a large factory, having to deal with his wife situation but not unwilling to take on some sexual consultation on the side. To that extent, the picture of Boris and Berenice’s straightforward.
What makes the difference for this film is the presence of a stranger, played by French actor Dennis and, who appears at different times but who is a key scene where he tells a story from Greek mythology, that of Tantalus, successful in winning favour with the gods who oversteps his mark and experiences and downfall.
To this extent, the story of Boris, with and without Berenice, is clearly Tantalus allegory.
1. Canadian production? French Canadian sensibility?
2. The opening with the field, the helicopter, the focus on Boris? Holmes, apartments, the interiors? The musical score, classic styles?
3. The title, the focus, Boris’s story, explored? The importance of the In, you – Lewis? His influence on story?
4. The realism of the film, Surrealism, the examination of Boris’s life, judgement on him? Self-awareness?
5. The stranger, the encounter with Boris, coming with the group to his home, telling the story of Tent to less, Tankless and his desires, favour with the gods, yet who briefs, and Who is spelling this out, punishment?
6. Boris in himself, height, manner, Russian background, the extensive factory and its achievement? His first wife, Justine, his relationship with his daughter, her absence, going to find her, meeting the two actors and their gay performance, talking with them? Discussions with Justine? Beatrice, her background in politics, illness, in herself, Helga, irises relationship with her as compensation? Clara, the attraction, helping with Berenice, her anger with Boris? The significance of Boris’s mother and her presence at the final discussion?
7. Justine, away from her father, acting, with the gay young men? At the final discussion, about Tent Alice?
8. Helga, in herself, the relationship with Boris, the affair?
9. Clara, her care, her angers? The mother, Berenice, her losing her memory, not remembering the drink?
10. The final meeting, the telling of the story, the allegory for Boris?
