In the Name of Blood

Director:

Akaki Popkhadze

Genre:

Thriller

Country/Region of production:

France, Belgium, Austria

Awards and nominations:

Official selection, "Forward Future" section, 15th Beijing International Film Festival

Nominee, New Directors Award, 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival

Synopsis:

In the working-class neighborhoods of Nice, France, a murder shakes the local Georgian community. Tristan, the victim's son, dreams of becoming an orthodox priest but finds himself left alone with his grieving mother. His brother Gabriel, a man with a troubled past, returns after long-term exile, seeking redemption by restoring the family's honor.

Why we recommend it:

This film redefines the crime thriller genre through a cultural clash. Set in the sunlit yet turbulent working-class neighborhoods of Nice in the south of France, the story centers around two brothers – a devout priest-to-be and a vengeful ex-con – who embody a powerful clash between faith and violence. Director Akaki Popkhadze's immersive cinematic style, with its use of short focal length lenses and dynamic camerawork, paired with Guillaume Ferran's Baroque and modern fusion score, builds layers of tension that captivate the audience. By confronting toxic masculinity and exploring the complex realities surrounding immigrant identity, the film strikes a universal chord. Raw, authentic and unflinching in its gaze at human nature, the film invites viewers to "see the difference" through its cultural fusion, technical daring and exploration of the fractures within the human spirit.