LES TRADUCTEURS/ THE TRANSLATORS
France, 2019, 105 minutes, Colour.
Lambert Wilson, Olga Kurylenko, Riccardo Scarmaccio, Sidse Babette Knudson, Eduardo Noriega, Alex Lawther, Ana Maria Sturm, Frederic Chau, Maria Leite, Manolis Mavromatakis, Sarah Girardeau, Patrick Bauchau.
Directed by Regis Roinsard.
The Translators is not exactly a title that would suggest a thriller, let alone a murder thriller and mystery. But, there we are.
We are introduced to the world of books and publishing by an opening sequence at a book fair, the publisher, Lambert Wilson, promising publication of the third of a trilogy, Dedalus, with 10 translations to be released simultaneously. The author is very popular, but anonymous.
Then, as befits a murder mystery, we are introduced to ten translators arriving from all over Europe to begin their translation work in Paris. There is a rather glamorous Russian, Olga Kurylenko, a rather smug and presumptions Italian, Riccardo Scarmaccio, a rather quiet and laid-back Spaniard, Eduardo Noriega, a wife and mother from Denmark, Sidse Babette Knudson, also Chinese living in Paris, a German, a rather brash young Portuguese woman, a cynical Greek. And, the representative from England, looks as if he is still at high school, Alex Lawther. They are all assembled at a mansion outside Paris, confined to something like a bunker for two months, to translate 10 pages a day. Accommodation is comfortable and they all seem to get on reasonably well.
But…
There is certainly something strange afoot. The first 10 pages are released on the Internet and the publisher, receives a ransom demand. How could the pages be released when everybody is confined to the bunker? What effect does it have on the translators?
Just as we think of Agatha Christie, and she is explicitly mentioned in the screenplay, the structure of the film begins to play tricks with the audience. The publisher is seen cross-examining one of the translators but we have no idea which one. Then we see the publisher in prison. How did he get there? Then flashbacks of the publisher’s visit to the old author living on the French coast (Patrick Bauchau). They discuss publishing rights – with the threat that the author might consider going to a rival company. And then… And then…
And, as we keep thinking Agatha Christie, there is an extraordinary flashback episode concerning the publisher, his travel on the Paris Metro, the manuscript of the novel in his briefcase, the briefcase being stolen, exchanged, copies made of the manuscript – and a mouse let loose in the train to cover any suspicion of what has happened!
The events do have quite some effect on the translators, sad and deadly for one of them who commits suicide.
The mastermind behind the extortion theme will probably not be one that most people would guess. And there is further ingenuity about the identity of the author of the novel as well as some vengeance for a malicious act on the part of the publisher.
Intriguing? The only response is: go and see The Translators.
1. The title? Expectations? The work of translation? The mystery (and echoes of Agatha Christie, Knives Out)?
2. The plausibility of the plot, the anonymous author, his books, popularity, sales, the fans, book fairs and publicity, enthusiasm?
3. The character of Angstrom, businessman, his plans, preoccupation with money, autocratic behaviour, his plan and demands?
4. The introduction to the cast, the different nationalities, their situations, the sketching of each character, their meeting in Paris, going to the mansion, in the working room, the rules and regulations, the two months for translation, the 20 pages per day? Isolation, comfort, interactions?
5. Katarina, her glamour, like the heroine of the novels, Russian background, at the pool and testing the drowning, going into Angstrom’s office, the case in the code? Her being shot?
6. Dario, Italian, smug, claiming acquaintance with Eric?
7. Konstantinos, his age, his background, his cynical remarks?
8. Telma, younger, at the airport, her manner, her skills?
9. Helene, the Danish background, relationship with her family, husband and children, a would-be writer, her manuscript found under the mattress, Eric’s reaction? Her speech and declaration of failure? Hanging herself?
10. Ingrid, the German background, her family, her presence in collaboration with the work?
11. Javier, his stammer, reserved, his injury?
12. Chen, Asian background, in Paris for 20 years? His having to perform and sing the song with the group?
13. Alex Goodman, British, young, sleeping on the park bench, his skateboard, his skills?
14. The lockdown situation, enclosure, the guards, the desks, work, meals, the swimming pool?
15. The shuffling of time in the structure, Angstrom and his interrogation of the unseen accused? Not getting an answer? His being in prison?
16. The message for the extortion, the publication of the text, the messages, Angstrom’s reaction?
17. The scenes of his visit to Georges, Georges’ age, the bookshop, authorship, the deals, the discussions, plans, Georges and his threat to change publishers, Angstrom’s angry reaction, argument, pushing down the stairs, setting fire to the shop?
18. Alex, revealed as the one leaking the text, the discussions with Eric, telling him the story, the escapade in the metro, those involved, switching cases, driving through the city, photocopying the text, returning the case, the mouse on the train? The credibility of this activity? And Alex having the manuscript and not needing to do this but to persuade the others? The performance by the group to alert Angstrom, singing Love, sweet Love? The further emails, the revelation of Alex’s office in London, rose-Marie going to the office, discovering the computer, Angstrom urging her to destroy it? Her turning against him and his arrogance? The transfer of the money? And the irony of its being transferred to his account as if he had embezzled it? Alex and his control of the situation?
19. The final revelation, Alex as a boy, going to France, his encounters with Georges, the discussions, admiration, solving the Murder on the Orient Express, his visits, writing the text, anonymity, creating the name, the deals? His literary skills?
20. Alex in the prison, stopping the microphone, the revelation about his being the author? The microphone going on, Angstrom and his desperate explanation that he had killed Georges? The police and the arrest?
21. The hospital sequence, Alex prison, Katarina recovering?
22. Alex walking from the prison? Mission accomplished?
