The Life of Jesus (1997)
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57% of critics liked it
(7 reviews) -
60% of users liked it
(185 ratings)
This French coming-of-age movie marked the debut of writer-director Bruno Dumont. The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ, but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small, economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy… More This French coming-of-age movie marked the debut of writer-director Bruno Dumont. The film bears a symbolic resemblance to the life of Jesus Christ, but it has no direct relationship with his life. The story is set in the small, economically stagnant town of Bailleul in northern France. Freddy (David Douche) is a 19-year-old epileptic whose mother runs a small restaurant. Freddy and his friends get unemployment benefits and ride motorbikes to kill time. They are bored and seething with unfocused resentments, which they often take out on local Arab immigrants. One immigrant, Kader (Kader Chaatouf), enrages Freddy and his friends by proposing marriage to Freddy's girlfriend Marie (Marjorie Cottreel), so Freddy and his friends set out to punish him. Dumont went on to direct the acclaimed drama L'humanite, also set in Bailleul. ~ Michael Betzold, Rovi
- Directed By
- Bruno Dumont
- Written By
- Bruno Dumont
- Genres
- Art House & International, Drama
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1997 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Nick Schager, Lessons of Darkness
A harrowing vision of volatile youth bored to death.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
Nothing happens.
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Chris Grunden, Film Journal International
Only the most patient art-house audiences will appreciate Dumont's occasional cinematic grace which transcends the grim proceedings.
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Cast
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David Douche
as Freddy
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Marjorie Cottreel
as Marie
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Genevieve Cottreel
as Yvette
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Kader Chaatouf
as Kader
- Sebastian Bailleul
- Samuel Boidin
- Sebastien Delbaere
- Steve Smagghe
- Sebastien Bailleul
