David O'ConnellHeading South (Vers le sud)
December 2nd 2008 03:27
Charlotte Rampling is a formidable presence in Laurent Cantet’s 2005 film Heading South, a follow-up to the brilliant Time Out (L’Emploi du temps) in which he depicted the unraveling of one man’s elaborate deception of his own family, pretending for years to travel abroad for a job that never existed.
Heading South is set in an idyllic but troubled place - Haiti in the late 70’s, and a hotel resort in summer where rich, middle-aged white women come to stay each year and take advantage of the exotic young men who tend to their every need, mostly sexual. For the locals attractive enough to appeal to the women it means refuge from the island’s crime and poverty.
Rampling is Ellen, one of the group’s mainstays, for six straight years making the sojourn from America where she teaches French literature. She’s besotted with the attractive 18 year-old Legba (Menothy Cesar), but soon has competition with the arrival of Brenda (Karen Young) who had a memorable first encounter with Legba on her only visit three years previous, the innocent young 15 year-old providing her first orgasm!
The two woman attempt to assert their wills in vying for Legba’s attention but danger lurks on the periphery of this exotic locale for the young Haitians, the threat of violence and ghosts of the pasts threatening to derail the heightened sense of living that they all enjoy at the resort.
A clever narrative device allows each of the main characters, at intervals, to give a monologue to an unseen listener, effectively us the audience – including Brenda detailing her provocative first visit, Ellen her reasons for returning each year, and the observations of a third member of their group, Sue (Louise Portal).
A film about reveling in escapism as well as casting off identities and inhibitions, Heading South is a fascinating glimpse into a corner of Haiti only faintly touched by the political turmoil of the time when the country was ruled by the despot Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.
It's anchored by Rampling's weighty presence which can be felt in every one of her scenes, whilst character actress Young is an interesting choice as her rival for Legba's attentions. Only Cesar and a few other locals lower the acting standard fractionally with some awkward, slightly wooden, moments.
Rampling has been enjoying a remarkable return to prominance in recent years, when less and less interesting roles are being written for 'mature' actresses; her brilliant turns in Francois Ozon's Swimming Pool and Under the Sand are just two more examples of how she's endured and become attractive to a new generation of French filmmakers in particular.
Director Cantet helped turn this adaptation of stories by Dany Laferriere into a really interesting screenplay which turns the revelry on its head in the third act; from beyond the hedonistic playground of carefree, unattached tourists, the grim elemental forces manifest themselves and the ending is a somber and painful one.
Ultimately, he’s saying, the illusion or fantasy these women cling to can’t be maintained, regardless of the power they believe they have to control it. When the social destitution of Haiti finally intrudes upon their slice of heaven, paradise is lost forever - if the jealousies of lonely white women hadn’t ended it already.
Heading South is set in an idyllic but troubled place - Haiti in the late 70’s, and a hotel resort in summer where rich, middle-aged white women come to stay each year and take advantage of the exotic young men who tend to their every need, mostly sexual. For the locals attractive enough to appeal to the women it means refuge from the island’s crime and poverty.
Rampling is Ellen, one of the group’s mainstays, for six straight years making the sojourn from America where she teaches French literature. She’s besotted with the attractive 18 year-old Legba (Menothy Cesar), but soon has competition with the arrival of Brenda (Karen Young) who had a memorable first encounter with Legba on her only visit three years previous, the innocent young 15 year-old providing her first orgasm!
The two woman attempt to assert their wills in vying for Legba’s attention but danger lurks on the periphery of this exotic locale for the young Haitians, the threat of violence and ghosts of the pasts threatening to derail the heightened sense of living that they all enjoy at the resort.
Ellen (Charlotte Rampling) getting closer to Legba (Menothy Cesar).
A clever narrative device allows each of the main characters, at intervals, to give a monologue to an unseen listener, effectively us the audience – including Brenda detailing her provocative first visit, Ellen her reasons for returning each year, and the observations of a third member of their group, Sue (Louise Portal).
A film about reveling in escapism as well as casting off identities and inhibitions, Heading South is a fascinating glimpse into a corner of Haiti only faintly touched by the political turmoil of the time when the country was ruled by the despot Jean-Claude "Baby Doc" Duvalier.
Karen Young as Brenda
It's anchored by Rampling's weighty presence which can be felt in every one of her scenes, whilst character actress Young is an interesting choice as her rival for Legba's attentions. Only Cesar and a few other locals lower the acting standard fractionally with some awkward, slightly wooden, moments.
Rampling has been enjoying a remarkable return to prominance in recent years, when less and less interesting roles are being written for 'mature' actresses; her brilliant turns in Francois Ozon's Swimming Pool and Under the Sand are just two more examples of how she's endured and become attractive to a new generation of French filmmakers in particular.
Director Cantet helped turn this adaptation of stories by Dany Laferriere into a really interesting screenplay which turns the revelry on its head in the third act; from beyond the hedonistic playground of carefree, unattached tourists, the grim elemental forces manifest themselves and the ending is a somber and painful one.
Ultimately, he’s saying, the illusion or fantasy these women cling to can’t be maintained, regardless of the power they believe they have to control it. When the social destitution of Haiti finally intrudes upon their slice of heaven, paradise is lost forever - if the jealousies of lonely white women hadn’t ended it already.
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Comment by Teresa
Comment by David O'Connell
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Comment by Tracy
Movies and Life
Comment by David O'Connell
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Comment by Anonymous
Only kidding Dave, good movie, shows the pitfalls of feminism and what happens to the uber rich white women no longer constrained by morality. He, he, he.... they turn in to dirty little......well you know what.
Whatever happened to Nanna baking biscuits......ooops, sorry she's getting rogered by some well hung negro.
Comment by Cibbuano
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It's fantastic to see mature actresses holding up films and even playing with their sexuality. Let Rampling and Helen Mirren get their groove back!
Comment by David O'Connell
Screen Fanatic
They do play with their sexuality to daring effect Cib, Helen Mirren is another great example of these mature actresses who still command the screen for many reasons.
Swimming Pool is fantastic, especially Rampling.............though the figure of Ludivine Sagnier is just slightly distracting at times!!
Comment by Teresa
Comment by David O'Connell
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