In Alain Guiraudie’s latest rural thriller, Misericordia, a priest appears to offer absolution to a murderer on a clifftop, not out of mercy but in exchange for something. The director sees a reflection of himself in this character, navigating between ideals and desires, a common struggle for many. The film explores morally ambiguous characters and their desires leading them into unknown territory, contrasting with Guiraudie’s previous work, Stranger By the Lake. Misericordia mixes tragedy and comedy, starting off in a similar vein to Talented Mr Ripley before evolving into a farcical tale of bed-hopping and dodging the law.
Guiraudie, known for broadening the depiction of rural France on screen, discusses the importance of representing sexuality outside of mainstream stereotypes. He believes that sensuality and eroticism exist across all walks of life, not just in glamorous settings. Growing up in a small village, he initially felt distant from the world of filmmaking, but eventually found his passion and success in the industry.
Real-life cruising scenes inspired Guiraudie’s work, including the explicit and intimate portrayals of sexuality in his films. Despite facing challenges in depicting these themes, he remains dedicated to exploring the complexities of desire and identity on screen.
Guiraudie’s films often blur the lines between tragedy and comedy, reflecting his belief in the unpredictable nature of life. Drawing from his Catholic upbringing, he finds parallels between the pragmatic approach to sexuality in Catholicism and the themes in his films. As he settles into life in Paris, Guiraudie continues to challenge societal norms and push boundaries in his storytelling.
Ich mache die Dinge auf die entgegengesetzte Weise im Vergleich zu allen anderen, indem ich aufs Land gehe, während sie älter werden. Aktuell schreibe ich ein neuer Film, dieser Molière des Zentralmassivs wendet sich auch in seiner Arbeit einem neuen Ort zu: er wird in den Überseegebieten Frankreichs spielen. Nicht dass wir Menschen eine Wahl hätten, uns anzupassen. „Mein Eindruck ist, dass das, was wir durchleben – sei es in der Liebe oder sonstwo – nie unseren Idealen entspricht.“ Er lacht wieder. „Die Realität schlägt uns immer ins Gesicht.“ Misericordia erscheint am 28. März.