Movies: 100,000,000,000,000 (2024) by Virgil Vernier

Link to watch: https://www.universcine.com/films/100-000-000-000-000-cent-mille-milliards (France)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt29477523/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/464998/

About movie: https://en.unifrance.org/movie/56500/100-000-000-000-000-a-hundred-thousand-billion

https://www.ufo-distribution.com/movie/100-000-milliards/

Detailed Summary:

"100,000,000,000,000" (also titled "Cent mille milliards") is a 2024 French drama film directed and co-written by Virgil Vernier. The story is set in Monaco, portrayed as a paradise for a generation that has grown up with reality TV and dreams of a privileged, pleasure-filled lifestyle. The film delves into what hides beneath the opulent facade of this world, exploring the lives of seemingly disparate individuals within this environment.

Plot Summary:

The narrative focuses on Monaco and the lives of those within it. It features individuals such as a male sex worker of mixed heritage, a Serbian 'stone healer', and a 12-year-old daughter of Chinese immigrants who are purportedly building their own island as a refuge from a potential apocalypse. The film appears to drift through snapshots of these characters' lives, hinting at the emptiness beneath the glamorous surface of Monaco.

Director's Vision:

Virgil Vernier, known for blending fiction, documentary, and myth in his work, aims to give a voice to the marginalized within the affluent setting of Monaco. His vision seems to be a critical look at the superficiality and existential alienation that can exist even in a place of apparent infinite pleasure. The film appears to contrast the glittering urbanity with the inner melancholy of its characters.

Themes:

• Critique of Post-Reality TV Generation: The film examines a generation shaped by the aspirational yet often hollow ideals presented in reality television.

• Superficiality and Underlying Desolation: It explores the contrast between the glamorous exterior of Monaco and the potential emptiness and isolation of its inhabitants.

• Existential Alienation: The characters seem to grapple with a sense of detachment and lack of deep connection despite their surroundings.

• Post-Capitalistic Society: Some interpretations suggest the film is a commentary on apathetic, post-capitalistic excess and its impact on individuals.

Key Success Factors:

Based on the available information, potential success factors might include:

• Unique Setting: Monaco as a backdrop offers a visually interesting and symbolic location to explore themes of wealth and its impact.

• Vernier's Distinctive Style: His blend of fiction and documentary elements could offer a fresh and unconventional perspective.

• Intriguing Character Ensemble: The diverse group of seemingly lost individuals in a paradise setting could captivate audiences.

Summary Short:

"100,000,000,000,000" is a French film set in Monaco, offering a critical look at the lives of various individuals living amidst the city's immense wealth, hinting at an underlying sense of desolation.

Awards and Nominations:

Nominee Golden Leopard, Locarno Film Festival 2024

Winner Prix Nouvelles Vagues Acuitis, La Roche-sur-Yon International Film Festival

Critics Reception:

Critics' reception appears to be divided, acknowledging Vernier's distinctive style but with varying opinions on the film's overall impact.

• Cineuropa: Fabien Lemercier notes Vernier's personal style straddling genres, following a young escort through Monaco and highlighting the timeless modernity of the location.

• ScreenAnarchy: Found the film to be an intriguing piece of psychogeography, capturing a sense of dislocation through a minimalist aesthetic, underscoring the emptiness against the backdrop of excess. The reviewer noted a tension between appearance and reality.

• IONCINEMA.com: Describes the film as exploring ennui in Monaco through interconnected drifters aligned with sex work, referencing the futile amount of money needed for freedom or happiness.

• inreviewonline.com: Highlights the film's critical contrast between Monaco's urbanity and the characters' existential alienation, viewing it as a type of apocalyptic narrative documentary with moments of intimate mundanity.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Critics appreciate Vernier's unique and often experimental approach to filmmaking, recognizing the film's attempt to explore themes of alienation and the superficiality of wealth in Monaco. However, some find the narrative less structured and potentially less impactful than his previous work.

Reviews:

Individual reviews offer further insights into the film's style and themes:

• Cineuropa's interview with Virgil Vernier reveals his fascination with the ongoing extension project in Monaco, the concept of billionaires' neglected children, and the blurred lines between sex work and escorting in the city. He aimed to depict a pre-apocalyptic world without overt drama.

• IMDb shows a user rating of 6.5/10 based on 57 ratings, suggesting a mixed but generally decent reception from viewers on the platform.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Reviews indicate a film that prioritizes atmosphere and character exploration over a traditional plot. Viewers might find it to be a thought-provoking and visually interesting experience, while others may find it lacking in narrative drive.

Production:

The film is a French production by Petit Film and Deuxième Ligne Films.

Sales Companies:

• Petit Film (France) is listed as the film's export/foreign sales company.

Distribution Companies:

• UFO Distribution (France) is listed as the French distributor.

Release Date:

• Theatrical Release: December 4, 2024 (France)

Why to Recommend This Movie:

• Unique and Stylized Filmmaking: Virgil Vernier offers a distinctive approach to storytelling that blends genres and can be compelling for those seeking something different.

• Critical Look at Wealth and Society: The film provides a potentially insightful commentary on the lives of the privileged and the underlying issues that can exist even in seemingly perfect environments.

• Intriguing Setting: Monaco as a backdrop provides a visually rich and symbolically charged location for the narrative.

Why to Watch Movie:

• Experience Unconventional Cinema: If you appreciate films that push boundaries and experiment with form, Vernier's work might be of interest.

• Explore Social Commentary: The film offers a critical perspective on contemporary society and the impact of extreme wealth.

• See a Different Side of Monaco: Beyond the usual glamorous portrayal, this film aims to uncover a different reality within the city-state.

What Movie Trend film is following:

• Hybrid Documentary-Fiction: Similar to some of Vernier's other works, this film seems to blur the lines between documentary and fiction, using real locations and potentially non-professional actors within a narrative framework.

What Big Social Trend is following:

• Critique of Wealth Inequality and its Discontents: The film taps into a broader social trend of examining the impact of extreme wealth and the potential for emptiness and alienation that can accompany it.

Final Verdict:

"100,000,000,000,000" by Virgil Vernier appears to be an unconventional and thought-provoking film that offers a critical perspective on wealth and society within the unique setting of Monaco. While some viewers might find its narrative approach challenging, those interested in experimental cinema and social commentary may find it a rewarding experience.

Recommendations for Film Makers:

• Experiment with Genre Blending: Vernier's work demonstrates the potential for creating unique and insightful films by combining elements of fiction and documentary.

• Use Setting as a Thematic Element: The choice of Monaco as the location is crucial to the film's themes. Filmmakers can consider how setting can enhance and contribute to the narrative's message.

• Explore Subcultures and Marginalized Voices: The film focuses on individuals who might not typically be the center of stories set in such a wealthy locale, offering a fresh perspective.

Recommendations for Movie Industry:

• Support Auteur Filmmakers: Virgil Vernier represents a distinct voice in contemporary cinema, and the industry should continue to support filmmakers with unique visions.

• Provide Platforms for Hybrid Forms of Storytelling: Films that blend genres can offer innovative ways to engage with audiences and explore complex issues. Festivals and distributors should recognize the value of such works.

• Encourage Diverse Perspectives on Familiar Settings: By showcasing stories that look beyond the surface of well-known places like Monaco, the industry can offer audiences more nuanced and thought-provoking content.