-Written by Michelle Vorob.
7 Fois is a short film that does not disappoint. A film with natural acting and excellent production values, 7 Fois is a tidy, 16 minute socio-cultural bomb, unfolding as you watch.
Written and directed by Christine Wiederkehr, 7 Fois is a French language film that won Best International Short Film Award at the 2024 Dublin International Film Festival.
The story begins with an almost voyeuristic view of a boy, Elio (Vidal Arzoni) in an apartment window, home alone, meandering around the modest apartment until he traps a fly under a glass [by attracting it with food].
Elio's mother (Manu Annoni) rushes in from work with some groceries and hurries to prepare him breakfast, before he leaves [and before she goes to sleep]. There is construction noise; the mother leans out the window to speak with a worker, asking how long it will continue; she works nights and must sleep soon. During this time, she is also cooking a sausage for Elio, bleak looking and inappropriately phallic, even once served. Elio asks his mother why they never have juice, as he would like some with his breakfast. She responds that water is healthier, because it detoxifies the body, while it's apparent there's no juice because she couldn't afford it. A loving mother, she remarks to her son how he seems to be enjoying school more since beginning tutoring lessons and gives him money for the previous and current lessons, before hurriedly going off to bed.
Next, we see Elio arriving at his tutor's upscale suburban home, being let in by the tutor's sophisticated wife (Mona Petri), also in a hurry to leave [on a trip]. She lets Elio wait in the house alone because she loves how polite he always is.
Just as before, Elio spends this alone time meandering around inside, but this time, it's luxurious, spacious and with a glass of juice. Peaceful, until a young woman (Luna Wedler) frantically bangs on the door, demanding to be let in by the tutor, because she saw his wife leave and urgently needs to speak with him.
Elio lets her in and can see she's upset, to which he offers her a glass of juice. They begin a conversation, in which it's quickly revealed she is the tutor's mistress and needs to tell him she's pregnant. Not separated in age by that many years, she asks Elio if he has a girlfriend yet and if they've done anything sexual together. Elio responds with “He” and while the young woman isn't phased by “He”, she's a bit unsettled when Elio describes who & what they've done.
Enter the tutor, Gerard (Antonin Schopfer), who seemingly doesn't want his mistress around his student, or maybe just doesn't want his mistress in his home, he hurries her outside so they can talk. Elio watches them from the window, unsure of what to make of their conversation. We watch Elio in the window, as the camera pans out, once again giving an almost voyeuristic view of the boy.
Throughout 7 Fois, there are skilled visual and audio details that help tell the story, more so than the dialogue in and of itself. They strongly drive the narrative and help convey the overall message of the film. 7 Fois concisely explores various sociological issues, mainly those of class and power and how that feeds into this particular tale.
Written & Directed by Christine Wiederkehr.
Starring Vidal Arzoni, Manu Annoni, Mona Petri, Luna Wedler and Antonin Schopfer.
10/10 = DROP EVERYTHING AND GET TO THE THEATER NOW
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