PACIFICTION Trailer: There’s Trouble In Paradise in Albert Serra’s Latest

One of the most radical filmmakers today is Albert Serra. The Spanish-born writer-director, who is known for films such as The Death of King Louis XIV and Liberté, tackles the lives of the affluent and aristocratic through a hypnotic lens. His newest film Pacifiction immerses us in the French Polynesian island of Tahiti where it centers on a government official (Benoît Magimel, The Piano Teacher) investigating the appearance of a submarine that may indicate the return of nuclear testing in the region. The film premiered at the Cannes Film Festival where it competed for the Palme d’Or, before making stops at TIFF, BFI London, and NYFF. Cashers du Cinema named it their best film of the year. Grasshopper Film will release it in select theaters on February 17.

On HtN’s Best Films of 2022 List, Jack Schenker wrote “Cinephiles should seek out Albert Serra’s Pacifiction, a film packed with stunning cinematography, immersive sound design and perhaps the best performance of the year from Benoit Magimel. Benoit’s character reminded me of Toni Servillo in The Great Beauty. He is not a perfect person,  yet you cheer for him because of his charisma. The direction from Albert Serra makes this a must watch for any aspiring filmmakers… It is less a film about a particular story, rather Serra invites the viewer into his dystopian world for you to inhabit… I saw this film in theaters and it really deserves not only the big screen, but a big sound system… I highly recommend this indulgent and wild vision from Albert Serra as one of the year’s best films.”

Here’s an official synopsis:

On the French Polynesian island of Tahiti, the High Commissioner of the Republic and French government official De Roller (Benoît Magimel) is a calculating man with flawless manners. His somewhat broad perception of his role brings him to navigate the high-end’ establishment’ as well as shady venues where he mingles with the locals. Especially since a persistent rumor has been going around: the sighting of a submarine whose ghostly presence could herald the return of French nuclear testing.

Check out the trailer and poster below:

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