Films, Talks & Events
Claire Denis
Trouble-Making Magic
29 February — 20 March 2024
still from Beau travail (Claire Denis, FR 1999)
Claire Denis (1948) grew up in various countries in West Africa. She worked as an assistant director for the likes of Jim Jarmusch and Wim Wenders before going on to direct short films, documentaries and features such as Chocolat (1988), Beau travail (1999), 35 Rhums (2008), High Life (2018) with Robert Pattinson and Stars at Noon (2022).
Eye screens an extensive retrospective of the work of one of France’s most important filmmakers: Claire Denis. In her films, Claire Denis probes the consequences of colonialism and the feeling of being an outsider, devoting particular attention to family tensions, sensuality, desire and the body. The programme features new restorations of her films, with Chocolat (4K) and Beau travail (4K) appearing on the big screen in the Netherlands for the first time.
still Vendredi soir (Claire Denis, FR 2002)
still Nénette et Boni (Claire Denis, FR 1996)
Many of Denis’ films revolve around obsession, desire, violence, sex and the body. Her characters refuse to be victims, embracing loneliness amidst chaos. Her films, often featuring hypnotic music from the band Tindersticks, are extremely physical and sensual, as well as highly erotically charged.
still S'en fout la mort (Claire Denis, FR/DE 1990)
Denis’ films seldom tell a rounded story, instead circling several storylines and characters – often, people on the margins of society. Her idiosyncratic visual language creates space for contradictions and unexpected connections.
“For me, the monster is invisible. If there is one little common thread that runs through all my work, it is that evil is never the other; everything is inside, never outside.”
Claire Denis
still Les salauds (Claire Denis, FR/DE 2013)
poster Claire Denis – Trouble-Making Magic
Films, Talks & Events
The film programme, put together in part from Eye's (35mm) collection, consists of several newly restored versions, including Chocolat, S’en fout la mort and Trouble Every Day.
still from Chocolat (Claire Denis, FR/DE/CM 1988)
Eye Film Player
You can watch Chocolat and Beau travail at home via the Eye Film Player.
still L'intrus (Claire Denis, FR 2004)
still Trouble Every Day (Claire Denis, FR/DE/JP 2001)