Control

Drole De Felix

Yet again I wonder why and how French cinema can produce so many thoughtful films about human relationships. This one stars the wonderful Sami Bouajila - who features in one of my favourite films Days of Glory. This is in many ways extremely 'light' (as suggested by the title

perhaps). Felix is gay, an Arab, HIV+ and seemingly happy. He sets out to find his father, someone he has never met, after he loses his job and following his mother's death he uncovers some correspondence from this man. He travels across France from Normandy to Marseilles, but isn't (naturally) finding his father - he is finding himself. The film shows his various encounters and creates a new 'family'. Like many characters in French films he is remarkably casual, careless almost - and is portrayed in the usual manner that film makers consider gay men should be shown - promiscuous, on the edge, an outsider looking in, and more lustful than emotional. However, I'd give this a 8/10 rating.