France 1999, 90 mins, Director Claire Denis. Starring Denis Lavant Michel Subor and Gregoire Colin.
Loosely based on Melville’s 1888 novella Billy Budd, the film is an allegorical story set in a French Foreign Legion camp in Djibouti. Galoup recalls his once glorious life leading troops, his once happy regimented existence until the arrival of a promising young recruit Sentain plants the seeds of jealousy in Galoup’s mind. He feels compelled to stop Sentain coming to the attention of the Commandant he admires but who ignores him. This jealousy will ultimately lead to both men’s destruction. Parts of the soundtrack are from Benjamin Britten’s opera Billy Budd. Cinematographer Agnes Godard’s stunning visual work conveys the complex emotions, the savage power games of an all -male world in an unforgiving desert landscape. Beau Travail was voted 7th in the BFI 2022 Sight and Sound Greatest Films of All Time Poll.
Please book a seat by 1pm on the day of the film
Tickets: £9 Members / £12 Non-Members
Alternatively, book a HFS Membership for the season September 2023 – June 2024 (10 films):
HLSI Members: £45
Non-Members: £50
Doors open at 7.00pm for pre-film drinks (included in the price of the ticket)
Film starts at 7.30pm
Film Talk at 9.30pm