It’s summer and the beginning of the long vacation period for eleven-year-old Martin, who lives on a farm, and, at a loss, observes his family’s disintegration : his mother lives locked-up in her room ; his older brother, who he adores, drowns himself in drink ; and his father, dominated by Martin’s grandmother, is a helpless onlooker to the family’s collapse. Although Mistigri, his cat, and Malika, the Moroccan maid, afford him some comfort, Martin is determined to put an end to this confusion.
Acting
Annie Cordy's grandmother is pure venom.
Direction
Achard lets dread accumulate like humidity.
Cinematography
The farm becomes a character—sweaty, claustrophobic, alive.
Director
Laurent Achard
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Annie Cordy, the grandmother, was primarily known as a beloved Belgian singer and comedic actress; this vicious turn shocked French audiences.
The film's French title 'Le Dernier des fous' translates to 'The Last of the Madmen'—suggesting Martin isn't the crazy one, just the last to pretend otherwise.
FR
