Monange (2016)

Directed by: Harry Cleven | 78 minutes | romance | Actors: Elina Löwensohn, Fleur Geffrier, François Vincentelli, Hannah Boudreau, Maya Dory

‘Mon ange’ is an enchanting story in which the life of the invisible Angel (François Vincentelli) is central. He is lovingly raised by his mother Louise (Elina Löwensohn), a vulnerable woman who has been magically abandoned by the love of her life. For mother, the invisibility of her son does not play any role, but she doubts whether the big bad outside world can handle this. For that reason she presses Angel on his invisible heart that no one should know about his existence, it is secret.

But the desire to meet others and feel ‘normal’ is great. This makes Engel find his way out and that same day meets the beautiful Madeleine (Hannah Boudreau, Maya Dory, Fleur Geffrier). The red-haired girl is blind, so Engel’s invisibility doesn’t affect their budding puppy love. Until Madeleine comes with the happy news that she is having surgery on her eyes and thus regains her sight. Less good news for Engel. He wonders if this threatens his sense of existence and the close relationship between the two.

‘Mon ange’ is written by Thomas Gunzig (writer of ‘Le tout nouveau testament’ (2015)) and director Harry Cleven. Next, Cleven paid incredibly careful attention to subtly making an invisible main character visible. The surreal presence and existence of Engel is credibly confirmed through various (moving) objects, physical contact or an abstract shadow. Because opponents make direct and intense eye contact with the camera, it soon becomes clear that as a viewer you often experience the events through the eyes of the invisible boy. The many close-ups make a major contribution to the romantic atmosphere created, which is also portrayed in a poetic and dreamy way. The use of limited locations and a select group of actors also enhances the intimacy of the film.

A modest but original and creative fairy tale. In ‘Mon ange’ love literally makes blind and everything revolves around blind trust in another. The whole is a sensory test for viewers.