Waiting For The Barbarians

A one-of-a-kind film by Eugène Green. Baroque paintings, Arthurian legends and 17th-century theater allow the director to discuss, in a slightly jocular tone, the contemporary fears of Europeans. Although no one has seen them yet, the eponymous barbarians are coming, at least that's whatsocial media is telling us. To hide from danger, a group of travelers knock at the gate of a magician. He agrees to let them in on one condition: they have to leave their mobile phones behind. The night they spend together among spirits emerging from the darkness like something out of a Caravaggio painting, different faiths and stage gestures transforms into a cleansing rite of passage. Sound a bit out there? Contrary to appearances, this clash of different inspirations and registers, erudition and a sense of humor, cinema and theater results in a surprisingly coherent, unique whole. With his deep ties to European tradition, Green wouldn't be himself if he didn't suggest between the lines-with a slight wink-that the real barbarity threatening Europe is American pop culture.