Coup pour coup

Marin Karmitz’s political drama innovatively borders documentary and fiction.

A reconstruction of actual events, Coup pour coup centres on the rebellion of female workers in a textile factory, who, after having been subjected to atrocious working conditions, go on strike and seek revenge on their boss. Karmitz’s employment of real-life factory workers and actors heightens both the authenticity and dramatic tension of a film which is infused with the political passion and solidarity of post May ’68 France. It sits comfortably with the militant and politicised films of Marker and Godard in the 70s and points to the importance of worker conditions in French politics and cinema to this day – we think of Laurent Cantet, Philippe Garrel or Robert Guédiguian. A towering figure in French film, Marin Karmitz is best known for his role as a producer (of over 90 films, among which works by Chabrol, Kieslowski and Kiarostami to name a few) and head of the company MK2, somewhat akin to Miramax in the US, which has successfully produced and distributed independent movies to large audiences (including at its own chain of 58 cinemas). This is a chance to catch one of only 3 features he personally directed (with the other 2 also playing on Cinémoi).