Beau travail
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| Beau travail | |
|---|---|
 Region 1 DVD cover |
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| Directed by | Claire Denis |
| Produced by | Patrick Grandperret |
| Written by | Claire Denis |
| Music by | Charles Henri de Pierrefeu |
| Cinematography | Agnès Godard |
| Editing by | Nelly Quettier |
| Distributed by | Pyramide Distribution |
| Release date(s) | 1999 |
| Running time | 90 mins |
| Country | France |
| Language | French, Italian, Russian |
| IMDb profile | |
Beau travail is a 1999 French movie directed by Claire Denis that is loosely based on Herman Melville's novella Billy Budd. However, instead of the maritime setting of the novella, the movie takes place in Djibouti where the protagonists are soldiers in the French Foreign Legion. Parts of the soundtrack of the movie are from the opera by Benjamin Britten also based on the novella.
Back in France, master sergeant Galoup (Denis Lavant) remembers the time in the desert, where he led his men under the command of Bruno Forestier (Michel Subor). His life there consisted mostly of routine duties like supervising the physical exercise of his men.
One day, his troop is joined by Gilles Sentain (Grégoire Colin), whose physical beauty, social skills, and fortitude make Galoup envious. As in the novel, repressed homosexual feelings on the part of Galoup are hinted at.
When Sentain helps another soldier, violating previous orders by Galoup, Galoup sees a chance to destroy Sentain. As a punishment, he drives him out into the desert to make him walk back to the base. But Sentain does not return because Galoup has tampered with his compass, and Sentain cannot make his way out without it.
Even though Sentain is later found and rescued by natives, Galoup is sent back to France by his commander for a court martial, ending his time in the Foreign Legion. The final scene suggests the possibility of his suicide.
