Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt16968976/
Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/449105/
About movie: https://playtime.group/film/626b30db8d97dd0004c5bb1a
Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/us/movie/through-the-night-2024 (US), https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/through-the-night (UK), https://www.justwatch.com/ca/movie/through-the-night-2024 (Canada), https://www.justwatch.com/fr/film/quitter-la-nuit (France), https://www.justwatch.com/it/film/through-the-night (Italy), https://www.justwatch.com/es/pelicula/through-the-night (Spain),
About movie: "Through the Night" is a hard-hitting and meticulous thriller that revolves around a woman in danger calling the police, the 911 operator who answers, and the aftermath as they grapple with the echoes of that night. The film is a co-production involving companies from Belgium, Canada, and France.
Plot summary: One night, Aly calls the police in distress. Anna, a 911 operator, takes the call. A man is arrested. Weeks go by as the courts search for evidence. The film follows Aly, Anna, and Dary as they face the lasting impact of that night, struggling to move forward. The narrative explores the perspectives of the victim, the operator, and the accused in the aftermath of a traumatic event.
Director's Vision: Delphine Girard's debut feature, "Through the Night," aims to explore the complexities and long-lasting effects of a single instance of violence on the lives of multiple individuals. Her vision is to delve into the emotional and legal hurdles faced by victims, the psychological impact on those who assist them, and the lingering questions and doubts that can persist even after an arrest.
Themes:
The Aftermath of Trauma: The film focuses heavily on the repercussions of a violent event on the victim, the emergency responder, and even the accused. It explores the long and difficult process of healing and seeking justice.
The Role of the Emergency Dispatcher: The narrative highlights the crucial and often emotionally taxing role of 911 operators as the first point of contact for people in crisis. Anna's personal connection to Aly's call underscores the human element in emergency response.
The Difficulties of the Justice System: The film portrays the lengthy and often challenging process of police investigations and legal proceedings following an assault, emphasizing the hurdles faced by victims seeking justice.
The Power of Belief and Empathy: Anna's unwavering belief in Aly's distress showcases the importance of empathy and support for victims of violence.
The Subjectivity of Memory and Truth: The film subtly explores how different individuals involved in the same event can have varying recollections and interpretations of what happened.
Resilience and the Search for Closure: Despite the trauma they endure, the characters in "Through the Night" grapple with finding ways to move forward and seek some form of closure.
Key success factors:
Compelling and Nuanced Narrative: The film's strength lies in its ability to explore a sensitive topic from multiple perspectives without resorting to simplistic portrayals.
Strong Lead Performances: Veerle Baetens as Anna and Selma Alaoui as Aly deliver powerful and emotionally resonant performances.
Skillful Direction by Delphine Girard: Girard's meticulous approach and control over the film create a tense and thought-provoking experience.
Focus on the Human Element: The film prioritizes the emotional journeys of the characters, making the story deeply personal and impactful.
Critical Acclaim and Festival Recognition: The numerous award nominations and positive critical reception indicate the film's quality and resonance.
Expansion of an Award-Winning Short Film: The feature is based on Girard's Oscar-nominated short "A Sister," suggesting a strong foundation for the narrative.
Summary short: "Through the Night" is a compelling and emotionally resonant thriller that examines the aftermath of a violent event through the eyes of the victim, the 911 operator who took her call, and the accused.
Awards and nominations: "Through the Night" has received 11 nominations across various international film festivals and award ceremonies. These include nominations for Best Film, Best Actress (Veerle Baetens and Selma Alaoui), Best Cinematography, Best Editing, and Best Production Design at the 2025 Magritte Awards in Belgium. Delphine Girard also received nominations for Original Screenplay and the John Dunning Best First Feature Film Award at the 2024 Canadian Screen Awards, the Gold Hugo at the 2023 Chicago International Film Festival, the Cineuropa Award at the 2023 Les Arcs European Film Festival, the Zabaltegi-Tabakalera Prize at the 2023 San Sebastián International Film Festival, and the Giornate degli Autori Award at the 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Critics reception (mention sites, add text, summary):
Rotten Tomatoes: On Rotten Tomatoes, "Through the Night" has a score of 90% based on 10 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 8/10. This indicates a strong positive reception from critics.
Cineuropa: A review on Cineuropa describes Delphine Girard's debut as a "hard-hitting and meticulous first feature film" that revolves around a striking trio: the victim, the rapist, and the policewoman.
ICS Film: A review from ICS Film at Venice 2023 notes that Girard tackles a difficult subject with "care and diplomacy and strong direction," highlighting the strong performances and the film's exploration of the emotional and legal hurdles faced by victims.
InSession Film: This review praises the film as a "Poignant Exploration of Trauma," highlighting the magisterial performance of Selma Alaoui and the film's effective screenwriting and editorial choices.
Summary: Critics have generally praised "Through the Night" as a powerful and well-crafted thriller that sensitively and intelligently explores the aftermath of a traumatic event. The film is commended for its strong performances, meticulous direction, and its nuanced portrayal of the complexities faced by victims of violence and those who assist them.
Reviews: While specific general audience reviews were not prominent in the immediate search results, the strong positive critical reception and the film's presence at numerous international film festivals suggest that audiences who appreciate thoughtful and intense dramas dealing with sensitive topics would likely find "Through the Night" to be a compelling and impactful film. The film's exploration of trauma, justice, and human resilience is likely to resonate with viewers.
Box office: "Through the Night" has grossed $63,297 in France and a total of $63,935 worldwide as of March 17, 2025. This indicates a limited theatrical release, primarily in France, suggesting the film might have found a larger audience through film festivals and potentially streaming platforms.
Production: "Through the Night" is an international co-production led by Versus Production (Belgium) and involving numerous production companies from Belgium, Canada, and France, showcasing a collaborative effort to bring Delphine Girard's vision to the screen. The film's narrative, focusing on the intimate experiences of its characters, likely benefited from the diverse perspectives and talents brought together through this international collaboration.
Sales companies (name, country, sentence):
Playtime (France)
Distribution companies (name, country, sentence):
Entract Films (Canada)
Haut et Court (France)
O'Brother Distribution (Belgium)
Festival Films S.L. (Spain)
Midas Filmes (Portugal)
Why to recommend this movie:
Critically Acclaimed Thriller: With a high Rotten Tomatoes score and positive reviews from reputable sources, the film is recognized for its quality.
Powerful Performances: Veerle Baetens and Selma Alaoui deliver compelling and emotionally resonant portrayals.
Thought-Provoking Exploration of Trauma: The film delves into the lasting impact of violence on individuals involved.
Meticulously Directed: Delphine Girard's skillful handling of the narrative creates a tense and engaging experience.
International Recognition: The numerous award nominations at prestigious film festivals highlight its artistic merit.
Addresses Important Social Themes: The film touches upon the complexities of seeking justice and the crucial role of emergency responders.
Why to Watch Movie:
For a Gripping and Intense Cinematic Experience: "Through the Night" promises to keep you engaged from beginning to end.
To Witness Strong Acting and Direction: The film showcases talented performances and skillful storytelling.
To Reflect on the Aftermath of Violence: The narrative offers a nuanced and thought-provoking perspective on a sensitive topic.
To Support International Independent Cinema: Experience a compelling film from Belgium, Canada, and France.
If You Appreciate Character-Driven Thrillers: The film prioritizes the emotional journeys of its characters.
What Movie Trend film is following (name of the trend, summary): Intimate and Character-Focused Thrillers Exploring Social Issues. "Through the Night" aligns with a trend in contemporary cinema where thrillers are used as a vehicle to explore complex social issues through the intimate experiences of their characters. The film's focus on the aftermath of trauma and the perspectives of the victim and the emergency responder exemplifies this trend.
What Big Social Trend is following (name of the trend, summary): Increased Awareness and Discussion of Sexual Violence and its Impact. The film directly addresses the sensitive topic of sexual assault and its lasting effects on the victim and those around her, reflecting a broader societal trend of increased awareness, open discussion, and support for survivors of sexual violence.
Final Verdict: "Through the Night" is a critically acclaimed and powerful thriller that offers a nuanced and emotionally resonant exploration of the aftermath of a violent event. With strong performances, meticulous direction, and a compelling narrative, it is a must-watch for those seeking a thought-provoking and intense cinematic experience that tackles important social themes with sensitivity and intelligence. The film's widespread critical praise and international recognition underscore its quality and impact.
Recommendations for movie industry:
Continue to support filmmakers who tackle difficult and sensitive social issues with nuance and intelligence: Delphine Girard's work is a prime example of this.
Recognize and celebrate strong performances that bring emotional depth and authenticity to challenging roles: The performances in "Through the Night" have been widely praised.
Encourage the production and distribution of international co-productions that bring diverse perspectives to important stories: The collaboration behind this film has clearly contributed to its success.
Provide platforms for films that offer insightful commentary on social issues and promote empathy and understanding: "Through the Night" serves as a powerful example of cinema's ability to do so.
Support and promote debut filmmakers with a clear and compelling vision: Delphine Girard has established herself as a promising new voice in cinema.
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