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2008 · Movie · 98 min · ★ 6.9 · 81% critics

Drama

A family builds a secluded, self-made paradise on the edge of society, enjoying quiet and privacy. When construction returns and a long-abandoned highway reopens beside their home, their refuge is swallowed by constant traffic, noise, and pollution, yet the mother refuses to leave no matter the strain.

IMDb

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Details
Years
2008
Release date
2008-10-29
Language
French
Runtime
98 min
Critic score
81/100
TMDB rating
6.9/10 (152 votes)
About

You’ll likely enjoy this if you want a tense, intimate drama about a family pushed to extremes by modern life’s pressures, in the vein of Sister; Not for you if you need fast pacing or clear-cut realism.

Pros: strong family dynamics; convincing performances; thought-provoking premise | Cons: shaky credibility; heavy-handed symbols; boxed-in script

Themes

  • highway
  • sunscreen
  • sound proofing
  • ventilation
  • body image
  • cleaning obsession
  • woman director

Awards & recognition

  • Lumière Award — Best Cinematography · 2009
  • International Submission to the Academy Awards · 2010 · nominated
  • César Award — Best Cinematography · 2009 · nominated

Cast & crew

Directed by Ursula Meier