Kalinka

"In Her Name" ("Au nom de ma fille") is a very difficult film to watch. It's about a child who was raped and murdered. Amazingly, the German legal system seemed to do its best to prevent a thorough investigation and prosecution of the perpetrator...and ultimately the father of the dead girl felt compelled to take justice into his own hands. Worse yet...it's a true story. So, think about this before you decide to watch the film...it's a tough film to watch even though the filmmakers were exceptional in presenting the story well and without showing or sensationalizing the sexual violence.

The story begins with the arrest of Andre Bamberski (Daniel Auteuil)...so there's no suspense in the story. You KNOW he broke the law and was arrested....and what drove him to that is then shown through the course of the movie.

Andre and his wife split up early in the story. She's having an affair with some doctor and so the marriage is dissolved. Years later, Andre is shocked to hear that his now teenage daughter has died. And, when there's an autopsy, there's clear indication her step-father, at the very least, killed her through incompetence...but there's also indications she was raped! Amazingly, the prosecutors in Germany (where the ex and her family now live) refuse to do anything. Years later, he is able to get a court order for a new autopsy...and when the body is examined, the genitals are MISSING!!! Clearly this is some sort of attempt to hide the crime. But again, nothing really happens...the German officials stymie Andre's attempts at justice. What's next and why was Andre arrested? And, how long, if ever, will he see justice?!

See the film.

As I expected, Daniel Auteuil was excellent in the lead. He's a truly gifted actor...one of the best French actors alive. It also seems that the people making this film had a real passion to bring this case to light, as it shows the public that sometimes to get justice you might just have to break a few laws...which is incredibly sad. Overall, an extraordinary movie.

If you do watch this film, be forewarned...it's a tough thing to watch. Have some Kleenex nearby and be sure to take care of yourself, as the movie is unrelentingly sad.

The documentary reduced me to tears having been a mother myself but Barmberski, in my humble.opinion, should receive all of France's medals, awards and recognition of his outstanding persistence bravery and courage. I only wish I had had a parent like him and my life would have been so different. Kudos to you Monsieur Barmberski. I hope you take up the lecture tour as people would flock to you despite the harrowing events. Kalinka was beautiful 😍.

Vincent Garenq is the new André Cayatte: apart from his first effort which dealt with gays who wanted a child ,his next three works " Presume Coupable " "L'Equipe " and "Kalinka " aka " Au Nom De Ma Fille " have seen him champion causes.

Unlike Cayatte ,a former lawyer who used fiction-and sometimes widely talked about affairs -,Vincent Garenq bases his films on real facts ;but like him ,and in spite of occasional flashbacks, he favors firm screenplays, linear story- telling .His style may seem jerky,telegraphic ,but his account covers 30 years (of fight against a blind justice which releases a criminal ,leaving him free to commit other horrors .)And this succinctness helps the director sustain the interest through the whole film.

Daniel Auteuil is ,as usual ,convincing as a father who devotes his life to do his beloved daughter justice ;and hats off to the make - ups: the principal is in his late thirties when he begins the task,and a sexagenarian when he finally wins the case ,and it's credible!

Even Hercules was not asked not such a labor :to clean the Augean stables of justice .That was what André Cayatte would do, that's what Vincent Garenq do today.

Disturbing film about the true case of Bamberski. He was lucky enough to have a couple of sidekicks: the good lawyer who works alone, like him, the German translator, and faithful Cécille, who withstands a lot. His dad in his alpine retreat is also understanding, gives him the best advice.

André had a life as a businessman, not very kind to his employees as we see in the first scene, but has his life transformed by the death of her daughter. The film doses the truth very well, and doesn't' shy away from showing the darker aspects of André. He is shown speaking alone while working, attempting acts that are not very lawful, and with a single- mindedness that could end with somebody at any moment. My favourite moment is him eating and resting alone in his car, a homage to "L'adversaire" in my humble opinion (one of the best films I've ever seen). The differences between the two roles are stark, nevertheless. Daniel A. can pull off basically any role he's thrown at, with a lesser actor this film would have been just stock material.

The director succeeded into making Marie-Josée Croze an unlikable woman ;). Her character could have more character development, I didn't understand much her (lack of) reactions and why did she never react to André's truths, not even at the cemetery when they cross paths with A.

I didn't feel much like going to Germany after watching this film ;). It looks like a foreign country, cold, with a difficult language, a juridical system that protects people like Dieter K. and rather absurd legal decisions. Hadn't it been for Andre's stubbornness, Kalina's case would have been buried. The German system doesn't come off very well in this film ;). It may have to do with French-German relationships, not always loving, but it's for Europeans to give opinions on that.

Overall, a great film. Not entirely pleasurable to watch but, given the material, a well told story, without melodrama or demagogy.

Recommended!

Just watch this movie, for the real story, for the cast, for everything. The persistence of a man in seek of justice where the system, most of the times, fails. Outstanding performance of Auteuil, one of the best actors in Europe. Also my thumbs up for Koch.