86. La Cérémonie

Perhaps the most prolific of the Nouvelle Vague directors, Claude Chabrol directed some 60 films and several TV series during his long career, from the classic Le beau Serge in 1958 to his final film, 2009's Bellamy, which was completed just a year before his death. His 1995 feature, La cérémonie, was widely acclaimed as an illustration of the master at work, and so I was keen to watch it.

Chabrol is best known for his psychological thrillers, packed with mystery and tension. La cérémonie begins quietly, but a sense of danger builds slowly and subtly, finally reaching a shattering climax. 

The film tells the story of Sophie (Sandrine Bonnaire), a reserved young woman hired as a maid to the wealthy Lelievre family, who live in a large, isolated house. Husband, wife, teenage son Gilles and 20-year-old daughter Melinda (Virginie Ledoyen) enjoy a level of privilege that is totally alien to their maid. Furthermore, Sophie is hiding something, but none of the family realise it.

Neither does Jeanne (Isabelle Huppert), the town's feisty, angry postal clerk, whose behaviour often teeters over the edge of what is acceptable. She befriends Sophie who, while initally resistant, soon puts her loyalty to her new (and indeed only) friend above her loyalty to her employers. Jeanne and Sophie's actions go from fun-loving to rebellious to shocking, as the intensity builds towards the final scenes.

La Cérémonie provides an excellent introduction to Chabrol's film making. I particularly appreciated his attention to small details - a single word here, a careless gesture there – a sign that he respected both his audience and his actors. Isabelle Huppert in particular was a longtime collaborator.

La Cérémonie is available on Curzon on Demand for £4