Je verrai toujours vos visages, a strong subject and a dream cast: review and trailer

Published by Nathanaël de Sortiraparis · Published on March 19th, 2023 at 10:50 a.m.
After the highly successful "Pupille", director Jeanne Herry returns with "Je verrai toujours vos visages", a film about restorative justice, a powerful but little-known concept in France. Scheduled for release on March 29.

Jeanne Herry clearly specializes in strong social issues. Following the adoption story of a child born under X in Pupille, the daughter of Miou-Miou and Julien Clerc turns her attention to restorative justice, a little-known process that brings together and discusses the perpetrators and victims of all kinds of offenses. Released in cinemas on March 29, the film is one of our favorites of the year.

Je verrai toujours vos visages trailer

And for this third feature, the filmmaker has surrounded herself very well. The impressive cast includes Leïla Bekhti, Elodie Bouchez, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Gilles Lellouche, Miou-Miou, Denis Podalydès and Fred Testot .

Our verdict

"Restorative justice is a combat sport" is how this little-known practice is presented to us. And indeed, it's complicated! The members of the association may be volunteers, but they're not idle, and the work is often heavy, since it consists of bringing prisoners and victims of the same kind of offences they've committed together for discussion. In the film, two quite distinct devices are presented: a group, which organizes itself into a round-table discussion, and another, more individual journey, that ofAdèle Exarchopoulos' character, who wishes to meet with a particular criminal.

There are many life trajectories, and each one is different, giving a good overview of what restorative justice can do. In its social aspect, Je verrai toujours vos visages is an important film. But that's not all: Jeanne Herry has established herself as a great filmmaker and director of actors. The cast is vast, containing many stars, yet all the actors are 100% at the service of the film, with subtle acting, served by a camera that is just as subtle. Rarely have simple fields/counter-fields been so moving.

This allows us to approach situations and hear often sordid words, evoking situations that destroy lives. With a subject like this, Jeanne Herry doesn't pull any punches, but knows how to step back when necessary and take the time to set up her story properly. The film is all about storytelling: the criminals' story, the victims' story, and Jeanne Herry's story. As they interlock, the scope of the film is revealed and impresses.

The characters may be numerous, but they are all deeply moving, each in their own way, both criminals and victims alike. We see their relationship evolve as they talk to each other, a bond being forged. Watching the victims rebuild themselves thanks to the prisoners' words, and vice versa, is extremely moving.

The synopsis of Je verrai toujours vos visages

Since 2014, Restorative Justice in France has offered victims and perpetrators the chance to talk in secure settings, supervised by professionals and volunteers like Judith, Fanny or Michel. Nassim, Issa and Thomas, convicted of violent robbery, Grégoire, Nawelle and Sabine, victims of homejacking, robbery and snatching, and Chloé, victim of incestuous rape, are all involved in Restorative Justice measures. On their journey, there is anger and hope, silence and words, alliances and heartbreak, awareness and renewed confiance... And at the end of the road, sometimes, reparation...

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Practical information

Dates and Opening Time
Starts March 29th, 2023

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    Average duration
    1 h 50 min

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