Family tensions suddenly come to a boil in director Joachim Lafosse’s PRIVATE PROPERTY, a supremely well-acted, gripping and thought-provoking family drama.
Pascale (Isabelle Huppert) is the mother of two rowdy layabouts. Her sons, Thierry (Jérémie Rénier) and François (Yannick Rénier), constantly tease each other and squabble, belying a strong fraternal bond. Pascale’s ex-husband owns the house but, under the civil code, she is permitted to live there until her death, at which time ownership devolves to their sons. Seeking an emotional outlet, Pascale finds new love, but when he’s introduced to her boys they react with disdain and shocking cruelty. She decides the only way to free herself is to kick her grown children out and sell the home, with or without their permission. This unleashes a brutal war of attrition between mother, sons, and ultimately brothers...
Lafosse has a disarmingly naturalistic style, at times reminiscent of John Cassavetes. The sublime Huppert is joined, step for step, by real-life siblings Yannick and Jérémie Rénier - the latter famous as the Dardennes brothers’ blonde antihero of L’Enfant. Their collaboration is nothing short of exhilarating.
Belgium/France/Luxembourg 2006 - Drama (105 mins)
In French with English Subtitles
Director: Joachim Lafosse
Script: Joachim Lafosse, François Pirot
Cast: Isabelle Huppert, Jérémie Rénier, Yannick Rénier, Kris Cuppens, Raphaëlle Lubansu