Pacifiction

Off the coast of Tahiti, politics wears a white suit and rides around on a jet ski in the latest work by the Catalan filmmaker. Shadowy and hypnotic, its idyllic setting reminiscent of a picture postcard – but rotting from within – Pacifiction follows the listless meanderings of De Roller, the French high commissioner, as he tries to maintain calm on the volatile island. When a group of Marines shows up, rumours fly that nuclear testing will resume and the Tahitians living under highly questionable postcolonial rule begin to revolt. Starring Benoit Magimel at the height of his powers, Albert Serra’s latest masterpiece is a towering achievement. (FNC)

Best film of 2022 according to the Cahiers du Cinéma.