Athena is as intense and cathartic as you may have heard. A non-stop emotional rollercoaster from the moment it starts, Athena grabs hold and doesn't let go. It is a collision course to a tragic ending and that's clear from the first frames. But the journey there is bold and honest in its audacity.
In the vein of 2019's Les Miserable (whose director is one of the writers on this piece), Athena tackles the issues facing immigrant communities in France head on, in this case the story of four brothers. One of them, a child, is killed by police, and another is a French war hero aligned with the order, while another is part of an antifa like resistance, and another caught in the middle. It is operatic in scope, like a Greek tragedy, but it is also very persona and very right now.
Director Gavras' approach is to put the pedal to the metal and just keep going. The film rarely relents. Its setting is over the course of roughly 24 hours and therefore it doesn't take breaks just keeps going. And it is tragic, painful, yet richly powerful. The cast are excellent, giving raw and sustained performances. Athena is one of those films where all the pieces just come together.
It isn't a long film. Just sit down and let it wash over you. Be ready for something remarkable.
Athena
Starring: Dali Benssalah, Sami Slimane, Anthony Bajon, Ouassini Embarek
Director: Romain Gavras
Writers: Ladj Ly, Elias Belkeddar, Romain Gavras
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