The Snows of Kilimanjaro (2011)
"Les neiges du Kilimandjaro" (original title)

A union pensioner and his wife are robbed, but find that merely getting the assailants brought to justice is not enough for their consciences.

Director:

Robert Guédiguian

Writers:

Robert Guédiguian (scenario), Victor Hugo (poem),

Stars:

Ariane Ascaride, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Gérard Meylan

3 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Ariane Ascaride	...	Marie-Claire
Jean-Pierre Darroussin	...	Michel
Gérard Meylan	...	Raoul
Marilyne Canto	...	Denise
Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet	...	Christophe
Anaïs Demoustier	...	Flo
Adrien Jolivet	...	Gilles
Robinson Stévenin	...	Le commissaire
Karole Rocher	...	La mère de Christophe
Julie-Marie Parmentier	...	Agnès
Pierre Niney	...	Le serveur
Yann Loubatière	...	Jules
Jean-Baptiste Fonck	...	Martin
Emilie Piponnier	...	Maryse
Raphaël Hidrot	...	Jeannot

Storyline

At a French shipyard, a trade unionist named Michel deliberately arranges to have himself on the dockworkers' randomly chosen downsizing list to spare another of his fellow workers. While he has his severance package and his friends and family's generosity to ease this sacrifice, this also gets his home invaded and robbed along with his wife and friends. Through pure luck, Michel finds out the identity of one of his assailants, a young worker who was on the same downsizing list himself, and gets him arrested. However, both Michel and his wife find that their vindictive satisfaction is soured by their realization of their assailant's motives and the larger consequences of their revenge. Struggling with their conscience, the couple finds themselves independently trying to live up to their ideals for a greater sense of justice.

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Plot Keywords:

loss of job | robbery | downsizing | arrest | idealism | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Details

Official Sites:

Official site [fr] Official site [jp]

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

16 November 2011 (France)

Also Known As:

The Snows of Kilimanjaro

Company Credits

Production Co:

Agat Films & Cie, France 3 Cinéma, Canal+

Technical Specs

Runtime:

107 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Features The Triplets of Belleville (2003)

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Soundtracks

"Many Rivers to Cross"
Written by Jimmy Cliff
Performed by Joe Cocker

User Reviews

A hard snow's gonna fall

What is solidarity? Solidarity in the union way? It seems easy in the beginning of this film, even if it's a decision which is to your own disadvantage. People have to go from the factory, there's a lottery and this union leader is among them. He didn't want any special treatment.

But this thinking and feeling is challenged, when one of his coworkers robs him and his wife. Why did he do that? It's a result of compromises from the union, leaving the robber and his kid brothers in misery.

So the screw is turned. Do you want revenge or do you blame yourself for lacking solidarity? The problem is solved in a way which shouldn't be mentioned here, but the answer is much easier than the questions.