The Sentinel

The year is 1992. Mathias, a young medical student, is returning from Germany to continue his studies in Paris. He is inexplicably stopped by customs and subjected to a menacing interrogation. Upon his return, Mathias discovers a mummified head in his luggage. Rather than informing the authorities, he applies his newfound forensic skills to identify the skull.
Arnaud Desplechin’s lauded first feature is an enthralling work that drags you into a Kafkaesque world of paranoia and isolation. Signalling his mastery of the medium, the former critic takes us on a genre-bending voyage as elements of thriller, political intrigue and character drama converge into a striking tableau, which captures an unsettling post-cold war mood where all is not as it seems.
Numerous (now) familiar faces of Desplechin’s talented entourage are to be found, including Emmanuelle Devos and Mathieu Amalric, however, it is Emmanuel Salinger who carries the film. His perfectly understated performance as the brooding Mathias earned him a deserved César for Most Promising Young Actor.

Cert. 15