The Workshop

(L'atelier)

113 minutes

French

France

La Ciotat, the South of France. Antoine attends a summer writing workshop in which a few young people have been selected to write a crime thriller with the help of Olivia, a famous novelist. The creative process will recall the town’s industrial past, a form of nostalgia to which Antoine feels indifferent. More concerned with the fears of the modern world, the young man soon clashes with the group and Olivia, who seems at the same time alarmed and captivated by Antoine’s violence. Laurent Cantet (THE CLASS) delivers an acute, complex character study of an angry young man, superbly written with longtime collaborator Robin Campillo.

starring...

Marina Foïs

Olivia Dejazet

Matthieu Lucci

Antoine

Florian Beaujean

Etienne

Mamadou Doumbia

Bouba

Mélissa Guilbert

Lola

Warda Rammach

Malika

Director

Laurent Cantet

Writers

Robin Campillo, Laurent Cantet

Cinematography

Pierre Milon

Music

Edouard Pons, Bedis Tir

Editing

Mathilde Muyard

Production Design

Serge Borgel

Producer

Denis Freyd

55% on the CINEMETER

ATL

59% - Mar 11, 2018

Excellent. As educated middle class liberals, we want to understand and sympathize with the less fortunate, the dispossessed, the angry youth. But it’s almost always an exercise in futility. The distance is too great. We can observe, even interact, but we can’t feel their feelings or “fix” their lives.
Atlanta Member

Very engaging and thoughtful from the opening scene. I have not seen a film recently that explores anomie so well. The importance of a town’s economy for the lives of its children cannot be emphasized enough…it is so often ignored by communities and politicians.
Atlanta Member

Brilliant capturing of the tension between any facilitator new to participants who challenge authority, test while decided if she is credible. Typical new team dynamics play out here.
Atlanta Member

Took awhile to get interested in the characters, but once I bit the hook the characters and story were fascinating. The movie’s warning to beware of fascism and how to bring people together makes it memorable.
Atlanta Member

Interesting. A more than philosophical discussion of the strengths and limitations of art as a means of making life bearable. The film’s complex depictions of character were satisfying. Antoine chose to “use his words” rather than a gun, but there is no happily ever after. Olivia as the intellectual is not spared, but she is allowed to be brave and more unpredictable than the usual teacher.
Atlanta Member

53% - Feb 25, 2018

Chilling!/Have we all forgotten Camus' "The Stranger?" They all should have read it at Lycee.
San Francisco Member

Slow but worthwhile portrait of the smart loner with too many chances to screw up. So many scenes could have gone another way. The humanities will save civilization!
San Francisco Member

Coming after our most recent school shooting this was painful; brings up the helpless feelings and…seeing our refusal as a nation to do all we can to change things.
San Francisco Member

Suspenseful and deeply disturbing but I somehow thought it was a well done movie.
San Francisco Member

Timely and insightful. A commentary on alienated youth, video escapism and propagandism. I thought this was original and excellent.
San Francisco Member

Nice integration of political and psychological issues of the world around us. Slow going but interesting set up, good forum to explore attitudes about immigrants, understanding others
San Francisco Member

Great anti-gun movie. [The teen protagonist] wasn't crazy he was was 17 years old and lived in a multicultural society he didn't understand. His relatives were bad examples and there was nothing to do in a small town. Too long…I liked the characters.
San Francisco Member

63% - Feb 25, 2018

This was a slow burn of a film. It slowly and methodically sucks you in and gives a realistic glimpse into the thinking of troubled young men. Very timely in today's world of mass shootings.
Greater New Haven Member

A film noir, where the beauty of the scenery contests with the darkness of the lives of the young people. How easy it is to lose oneself when life has no purpose.
Greater New Haven Member

A terrifying movie, superbly done.
Greater New Haven Member

Antoine is like many kids in our criminal court systems. The truthful final statement/essay by Antoine accurately describes the relationship of boredom, loneliness and depression to violence. So glad I was able to see it.
Greater New Haven Member

BOS

63% - Feb 25, 2018

A timely, insightful look at teen anger. The male lead did outstanding work conveying anger.
Boston Member

Shades of Camus's The Stranger. Le Pen. Disturbing. Many symbols, stimulation
Boston Member

Suspenseful. Relationship between Olivia and Antoine very interesting. Scarily current.
Boston Member

Great for discussion. Makes you realize how complicated it all is these days.
Boston Member

Made me think!
Boston Member

BOCA

35% - Mar 4, 2018

A thoughtful film dealing with the effect of the ever-present threat of violence on the next generation.
Boca Raton Member

Slow beginning but I found the ending gratifying--at least one soul saved due to the workshop
Boca Raton Member

Emotionally engaging!
Boca Raton Member

Boca Raton Member

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