Movie night: "Beau Travail"

"Beau Travail" (1999) is ranked #7 in the 2022 BFI Sight and Sound critic's poll of the 250 Greatest Films of All Time. This loose adaptation of Herman Melville's Billy Budd reimagines "the handsome sailor" as a modern-day member of the French Foreign Legion.

A striking new recruit (Grégoire Colin) joins a military outpost in Djibouti, gaining the admiration of his regiment and the ire of his sergeant (Denis Lavant). Using sensual imagery and an operatic score by Benjamin Britten, director Claire Denis explores issues of identity and belonging in a crucible of military discipline, masculinity, and jealousy.

Runtime: 1h 32m. In French with English subtitles.

This meetup will consist of a live viewing, accompanied by discussion and analysis.

Supplemental:

• Trailer
• Deconstructing Masculinity video essay

This meetup is part of the series Fig Leaves and Fancy Pants.