Chaos (2001)

A bourgeois couple, modern yet conventional. One night by accident, a young prostitute barges into their lives. Hounded down, beaten up, threatened, she will continue to struggle, with the ... See full summary »

Director:

Coline Serreau

Writer:

Coline Serreau

Stars:

Vincent Lindon, Catherine Frot, Rachida Brakni

4 wins & 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Vincent Lindon	...	Paul
Catherine Frot	...	Hélène
Rachida Brakni	...	Noémie / Malika
Line Renaud	...	Mamie
Aurélien Wiik	...	Fabrice
Ivan Franek	...	Touki
Michel Lagueyrie	...	Marsat
Wojciech Pszoniak	...	Pali (as Wojtek Pszoniak)
Eric Poulain	...	Le jeune policier
Omar-Echériff Attalah	...	Tarek
Hajar Nouma	...	Zora
Chloé Lambert	...	Florence
Marie Denarnaud	...	Charlotte
Jean-Marc Stehlé	...	Blanchet
Léa Drucker	...	Nicole

Storyline

A bourgeois couple, modern yet conventional. One night by accident, a young prostitute barges into their lives. Hounded down, beaten up, threatened, she will continue to struggle, with the help of a well off lady, first for her survival-her resurrection-then for her dignity and freedom. Stormy encounters for everyone involved.

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Plot Keywords:

hospital | pimp | coma | passport | title directed by female | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Crime

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

3 October 2001 (France)

Also Known As:

Caos

Filming Locations:

Hôpital Broussais - 96 rue Didot, Paris 14, Paris, France

Box Office

Budget:

FRF 48,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$1,430 (USA) (30 May 2003)

Gross:

$197,397 (USA) (22 August 2003)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Bac Films, Canal+, DH Film Service

Technical Specs

Runtime:

109 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Visa d'exploitation en France #90446.

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Soundtracks

"Sentimental mood"
(1993)
Composed by Ludovic Navarre
Performed by Ludovic Navarre (as St Germain)

User Reviews

Revenge is sweet

This is one of the most accomplished films I've seen from France in a while. French cinema always presents risky situations. Hollywood, in search of ideas, sometimes turns into other films for American consumption under disguises, where the original idea is totally changed, or presented in such an idiotic way, that probably the new film derived has nothing to do with the original one.

Director Coline Serreau presents a story about today's society, where there's always no time to pay attention to things, let alone go to the aid of someone who's being victimized on the street. The Vidals, a bourgeois couple are a typical example of people so preoccupied in their own little game; they have no time to help the young woman who is beaten to a pulp in front of their eyes.

Well, actually, Mme. Vidal has a conscience. She protests to Paul, her husband; he couldn't care less. She goes to the hospital where the victim is under a coma, trying to put things right. She then becomes obsessed with the situation. At least she is a decent, if somehow tardy Samaritan.

Noemi, the woman who's been beaten has her own sad story. Played with conviction by Rashida Brakni, she puts a plan to avenge herself against the people that got her in the present situation and tried to kill her.

The interplay between Noemi and Mme. Vidal, also played earnestly by Catherine Frot, is one of the best combinations of wits in a film.

The film never lets up. Showing a sure hand, Ms Serreau gives us an enjoyable film and a feminist take on the way things are done when a woman decides to say enough to all kinds of abuses she has been put all her life.