The Tribe

Hats off for coming up with an idea to shoot a movie by such engaging means, where the spoken word gets swapped for sign language. It’s even more interesting that you get to see environments that you wouldn’t wish upon your worst enemy. The Tribe combines a really brutal psychological drama with an Eastern Bloc feel and an idea that’s worth watching. But the most interesting thing is that it really works here and there. Then again, it’s true that I was really sick of the long raw scenes and I almost fell asleep from boredom when they were on the screen. In any case, the idea definitely at least deserves your attention – if you’re a movie fan, that is. (19/06/2015)

A similar case as Stations of the Cross: a young creator, a radically different concept, a captivating design. Enchanting choreography of camera trajectories and sign language by deaf characters, silence transformed into the most intense sound of all, and precise work with familiar storytelling, which allows one to understand the sign language even where we do not know its exact meaning. An overwhelming finale that balances on the verge of exploitation, but thanks to the director's consistency, gives an uncompromising KO. (13/07/2014)

Une expérience cinématographique remarquable et le fait qu’elle a été apprécié à Cannes ne me surprend aucunement. C'est que The Tribe semble avoir été taillé pour les festivaliers et le public français. Je n'ai jamais vu un film comme celui-ci auparavant et j’ai trouvé amusant le fait de passer certaines des scènes les plus longues légèrement à l’accéléré, l'impression générale restant totalement inchangée. Je dois dire que l'Ukraine est un pays complexe que je ne comprendrai probablement jamais et je ne sais pas si je le visiterai un jour. En plus, la scène de la salle de bain accentue encore le caractère rude et âpre, au point que j'ai dû détourner les yeux malgré mon seuil de tolérance élevé. (25/07/2017)