Hardcore (1979) by Paul Schrader.
“In Hardcore, like in American Gigolo, Schrader ends his film - ike the Dardennes did in The Child- the same way Robert Bresson did in Pickpocket, “It took me a long time to reach you”. It is a great film, which always moved me, with this character facing his own demons, facing the choice he made, his faith being questioned by earthly pleasures, this character in quest for redemption, I think it’s a very powerful and beautiful film. Schrader is often compared to Scorsese, they are like brothers, and even if there’s not Scorsese’s brilliance in Schrader’s work, there is some kind of sickness that always moved me. And this complete obsession for redemption is fascinating, always fighting morale and taboos. The quest of this father in this 80s California is really a journey to hell, a search for himself in fact. The ending is often discussed but he really quotes Bresson and as far as I’m concerned I find that ending very consistent.”

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Fabrice Du Welz directed the very disturbing The Ordeal in 2004. His new film Vinyan, starring Emmanuelle Beart and Rufus Sewell will be released in France in October 2008.