Cinemagic Screens Claire Denis’ 1999 Film Beau Travail

Portland audiences can watch Beau Travail, a 1999 film by French director Claire Denis, at Cinemagic on Nov. 8 and Nov. 12. The movie is a fragmented adaptation of Herman Melville’s novel Billy Budd.

The story follows Chief Galoup, a member of the French Foreign Legion played by Denis Lavant. He becomes fixated on a new recruit named Sentain, portrayed by Grégorie Colin. The platoon is based in Djibouti.

Galoup narrates the film, claiming that Sentain will cause unrest among the troops. However, the visual scenes show the soldiers performing standard duties. They conduct drills, prepare meals, and practice tai chi in short uniforms.

The film depicts a unit where homoerotic tension exists but remains barely repressed. This dynamic moves from the commandant, played by Michel Sabor, to Chief Galoup, and finally to Sentain. The unit’s primary focus is this internal dynamic rather than military action.

Denis uses the setting to examine colonialism and masculinity. The soldiers spend more time ironing their uniforms than handling their weapons. Their war-game drills resemble a performance more than actual combat preparation.

The characters are portrayed as men dealing with daily drudgery and inactivity. They wait for their insecurities to become threats. The film contrasts the expected violence of their roles with the quiet reality of their routine.

Other films are also scheduled at local theaters this week. The Academy will show Stop Making Sense, Welcome to the Dollhouse, and The Taking of Pelham One Two Three from Nov. 6 to Nov. 12. Cinemagic will screen Evil Dead II, Army of Darkness, and Evil Dead on Nov. 4.