Introduction –
There are grotesque world events which are not touched upon by the media, the so called torch bearers of humanity and even influencers / celebrities. World War II genocide of Jews, inhuman deaths of prisoners of resistance groups and POW’s is one such example.
Colette Marin-Catherine a 90-year old woman embarks on a journey to Mittelbau-Dora, Nordhausen, Germany along with Lucie Fouble, a history student at the World War II museum, Saint-Omer, France. The question is why? This documentary is about her journey to a place she resisted visiting all her life.
Synopsis –
Colette is an Oscar-nominated documentary short film based on real-life incident. Colette Marin-Catherine, a strong personality was a reconnaissance agent ( of a resistance group ) back in 1944. Today, she reminisces her childhood and her brother Jean-Pierre, who was also a resistance member. He was arrested in 1943 and died in Mittelbau-Dora ( Germany ) concentration camp in 1945. After keeping her emotions in check for almost 75 years, she wishes to see the place where her brother died. Lucie Fouble supports her desire to visit the place where her brother was imprisoned and ultimately died in 1945.
The emotional journey to Nordhausen, Germany begins
Lucie Fouble becomes her confidant, her friend and her soul mate. She even suggests that they carry Jean-Pierre’s picture frame. When they finally reach the town of Nordhausen, the mayor arranges a small welcome party. However, halfway into the event, Colette Marin-Catherine breaks down and asks everyone, especially the mayor to stop talking about the past and her brother.
In spite of the awkward situation director Anthony Giacchino continues to shoot the film. When Colette Marin-Catherine and Lucie Fouble reach the landmark spot, the concentration camp, they break down. It is during this point in time that Colette Marin-Catherine requests that she not be filmed crying. The place where her brother slept, worked in a tunnel making bombs and some of the other inhuman habitats turns Colette Marin-Catherine emotional. She offers Lucie Fouble a ring, a vintage jewelry which was made by Jean-Pierre as a token of appreciation and the ordeal she herself was going through.
Thus ends the emotional journey of a 90 year old Colette Marin-Catherine and her young assistant Lucie Fouble.
Analysis –
Let us first talk about what we liked; the characters of course. Documentaries which are made with actual characters offer a different kind of a feel. Everything appears natural, spontaneous and complements the script perfectly, and the reason is because it is not really scripted. Now, coming to the things that we didn’t like. Editing could have been better. We are sure the director had enough “rushes” to turn this documentary into a seamless cinema but somehow we felt it lacked emotional cohesiveness and vividness. Cinematography is okay. On the other hand sound could have been better.
2020 Anthony Giacchino Anthony Giacchino 24 Minutes YouTube