Synopsis
Four friends retreat into “the unspoiled nature”, reflecting upon alternative ways of (communal) living outside the social reality of busy city-life. Through the re-enactment of mystical rituals or theatrical experiments in nature, Le Chalet excites a - though fictitious - utopian commu nity. It uses a cliché imagery of our contemporary experience of nature which underlines the fictitious dichotomy between nature and culture. Documentary, fiction and horror blend almost imperceptibly into one another and the shack becomes a character that slowly comes to life. All the more, the camera transforms into an omniscient eye considering humans, animals and objects as each others equals.
Infos
"In Le Chalet, four friends trek into unspoilt nature. Finding refuge in a small chalet, they share daily
rituals and habits. Together they cook and eat, take walks in the woods, dance, and read stories to
each other. Youthfully idealistic, the group hopes to find a sanctuary for cohabitation and
comtemplation, far away from standardised, socialised urban life. Their dwelling place reminds of a
long tradition of communes which – in an attempt to escape ‘a toxic society’ – have surrendered to
nature, like the Naturists or the hippie movement.
Slowly, however, the idyll offered by the chalet and the surrounding wildlife yields to a feeling of
alienation. The camera, observing their activities, starts to creep up on the group of friends. While
they are washing dishes or dancing the night away, the camera stalks them unsuspectedly. Voices
disappear, sounds become sinister, characters toss and turn in bed, and two knots in a wooden wall
bear an eerie resemblance to tearful eyes. Utopia is turning into an oppressive nightmare in which the
chalet seems to come to life and the actors are condemned to each other."
Dagmar Dirkx
N° du film
F306
Réalisateur nom
Charles
Réalisateur prénom
Laurie
Mois de finition
Juin
In progress
No
Genre
Fiction
Durée minutes
18
Durée secondes
34
Process
Color
Aspect ratio
16:9
Sound format
Stereo
Shooting format
Video hd
Screening format
Dcp
H264
Blu-ray
Version
Français
Subtitles
Anglais
Screenplay
Laurie charles
Cast
Juliette dana, laurie giraud, andréa nivière ...
Film editing
Laurie charles
Sound mixing
Hélène clerc-denizot
Sound recording
Hélène clerc-denizot
Sound editing
Hélène clerc-denizot
Image
Laurie charles
Music
Nicolas jorio
Synopsis fr
Quatre amies viennent se retrouver dans un chalet dans les ardennes pour réfléchir ensemble à “une autre vie possible” et pour expérimenter une vie commune hors du temps social de la ville. le groupe d’amies va s’intéresser à l’histoire des communautés utopiques et au concept du retour à la nature au travers de rituels, et de reenactment désanchantés dans la nature. le film se passe en alternance en huis-clos dans le chalet et en extérieur dans la nature environnante. documentaire, fiction et horreur viennent se mélanger et le chalet se met à prendre vie au fur et à mesure du film. la caméra vue comme un oeil omniscient mets au même niveau humains, animaux et objets.
Synopsis en
Four friends retreat into “the unspoiled nature”, reflecting upon alternative ways of (communal) living outside the social reality of busy city-life. through the re-enactment of mystical rituals or theatrical experiments in nature, le chalet excites a - though fictitious - utopian commu nity. it uses a cliché imagery of our contemporary experience of nature which underlines the fictitious dichotomy between nature and culture. documentary, fiction and horror blend almost imperceptibly into one another and the shack becomes a character that slowly comes to life. all the more, the camera transforms into an omniscient eye considering humans, animals and objects as each others equals.
Infos en
"in le chalet, four friends trek into unspoilt nature. finding refuge in a small chalet, they share daily
rituals and habits. together they cook and eat, take walks in the woods, dance, and read stories to
each other. youthfully idealistic, the group hopes to find a sanctuary for cohabitation and
comtemplation, far away from standardised, socialised urban life. their dwelling place reminds of a
long tradition of communes which – in an attempt to escape ‘a toxic society’ – have surrendered to
nature, like the naturists or the hippie movement.
slowly, however, the idyll offered by the chalet and the surrounding wildlife yields to a feeling of
alienation. the camera, observing their activities, starts to creep up on the group of friends. while
they are washing dishes or dancing the night away, the camera stalks them unsuspectedly. voices
disappear, sounds become sinister, characters toss and turn in bed, and two knots in a wooden wall
bear an eerie resemblance to tearful eyes. utopia is turning into an oppressive nightmare in which the
chalet seems to come to life and the actors are condemned to each other."
dagmar dirkx
Executive producer
Giulia angrisani, baptiste bogaert
Production
Ajc!
Production
AJC!
18
