Heading South (2005)
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70% of critics liked it
(82 reviews) -
45% of users liked it
(1,719 ratings)
A trio of lonely, middle-aged American women finds their growing disillusionment with stateside men leading them to seek emotional comfort and sexual gratification in the arms of young Haitian man in Time Out director Laurent Cantet's emotionally incisive adaptation of Haitian-Canadian author… More A trio of lonely, middle-aged American women finds their growing disillusionment with stateside men leading them to seek emotional comfort and sexual gratification in the arms of young Haitian man in Time Out director Laurent Cantet's emotionally incisive adaptation of Haitian-Canadian author Dany Laferrière's acclaimed short stories. Competing for the attentions of beautiful young Haitian native Legba (Ménothy Cesar) are 55-year-old Wellesley professor Ellen (Charlotte Rampling), sexually frustrated Canadian factory worker Sue (Louise Portal), and fortysomething Georgia blonde Brenda (Karen Young). The Hotel Petite Anse is a haven for older women seeking the companionship of younger men, and doyenne Ellen has come to establish herself as something of the queen bee of the popular island establishment. Despite the constant threat of Baby Doc Duvalier's thuggish henchmen, these lonely women risk their livelihoods to bask under the sun and forget the troubles of their daily lives as the line between exploiter and exploited becomes increasingly blurred. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi
- Directed By
- Laurent Cantet
- Written By
- Robin Campillo, Laurent Cantet, Dany Laferrière
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
- In Theaters
- Jul 7, 2006 Limited
- Studio
- Shadow Distribution
Critic Reviews
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Steve Murray, Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Exploring female desire in a way films rarely do, Heading South is a film of sometimes subtle, sometimes blunt metaphors for the interaction of rich and pauperized countries.
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Colin Covert, Minneapolis Star Tribune
The regal Rampling has never been finer, and Cesar makes his character surprisingly proud and sympathetic.
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Mick LaSalle, San Francisco Chronicle
The film offers something unusual, a tragic spectacle of normal, recognizable and utterly sympathetic people condemning themselves.
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Tom Keogh, Seattle Times
An unsettling drama by the director of two other remarkable films about class illusions, Human Resources and Time Out.
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Kerry Lengel, Arizona Republic
The movie avoids devolving into polemic by treating its characters as individuals.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
Fresh (60% or more critics rated the movie positively)
Rotten (59% or fewer critics rated the movie positively)
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Cast
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Charlotte Rampling
as Ellen
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Karen Young
as Brenda
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Louise Portal
as Sue
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Menothy Cesar
as Legba
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Lys Ambroise
as Albert
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Jackenson Pierre Olmo Diaz
as Eddy
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Wilfried Paul
as Neptune
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Anotte Saint Ford
as Limousine Girl
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Marie-Laurence Hérard
as Airport Woman
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Michelet Cassis
as Charlie
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Jean-Robert Pierre
as Chico
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Jean Delinze Salomon
as Jeremy
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Kettline Amy
as Denise
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Daphné Destin
as Lossita
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Guiteau Nestant
as Frank
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Violette Vincent
as Legba's Mother
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Ti Koka Wanga Negès
as Orchestra
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Anathole Bonhomme
as Policeman
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Michelet Ulysse
as Bob
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Samuel Pierre Jean
as Lagba's Friend
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Juckel Remilus
as Lagba's Friend
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Gabrielle Lee
as Irish Tourist
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Annette Snyder
as American Tourist
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Geneviève Curt
as Picnic Tourist
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Manolo Jerome
as Drinks Seller
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Keniolt Alparad
as Barman
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Jean-Pierre Francesco
as Dancer
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Natacha Petit
as Tina
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Dieunie Dorvilien
as Tina's Friend
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Joël Medelus
as Macoutes
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Jimmy Antoine
as Macoutes
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Lorette Blanca
as Chef
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Ariana Joseph
as Chef
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Vanessa Michel
as Girl In Yellow