Un autre homme (2008)

Directed by: Lionel Baier | 89 minutes | drama | Actors: Robin Harsch, Natacha Koutchoumov, Elodie Weber, Georges-Henri Dépraz, Brigitte Jordan, Olivia Csiky Trnka, Bulle Ogier, Agnieszka Kowalski, Jean-Stéphane Bron, Ursula Meier, Claude Muret

Anyone who considers the plot of ‘Un autre homme’ will undoubtedly expect a satirical film. The story of this Swiss art-house film, about a film nitwit who ends up in the world of film critics, requires a mocking approach. We expect unworldly snobs, who pass judgment in unfathomable language about films that only they understand; or hatred and envy between frustrated critics who would rather have become filmmakers themselves.

The enthusiast will indeed get a glimpse into the wonderful world of film criticism, where it will come as no surprise that some film journalists are a bit peculiar. It is less well known that many amateur critic maintains a kinky relationship with a professional colleague. But the fact that most film journalists are also real film buffs will really surprise the viewer.

Yet this ‘Un autre homme’ is anything but a satire, despite a number of nods to film journalism. What he is is more difficult to answer. ‘Un autre homme’ is mainly about power relations. We see how the relationship between the professional film journalist Rosa and her amateur colleague François has a direct effect on the home front. The moment François is accepted into the film world, even if it is as a brush with a well-known colleague, he changes in his private relationship with the cute Christine into an arrogant little man. The François of the press shows is different from the man who watches bad movies at home with his girlfriend. Or the man who, as a connoisseur of medieval French, is a specialist in his own field.

Unfortunately, ‘Un autre homme’ is bursting at the seams with themes and motifs, which are not always easy to interpret. And therein lies the weakness. The film is punctual, but never ends well. It gives ‘Un autre homme’ a non-committal feeling, which ensures that you have already forgotten it when the credits are still running. But for the 89 minutes that it lasts, it is certainly entertaining and captivating enough and is full of beautiful (black and white) images. In addition, for the first and last time, he gives the amateur critic the opportunity to cram the word “modernity” into a review. Without any idea what it means.