Marianne Winckler relocates to the port city of Caen in order to pass herself off as a member of a large community of itinerant workers desperate to make ends meet. She gains employment as a cleaner on a ferry travelling between Ouistreham and Portsmouth, recording the drudgery of the work she and her colleagues are required to do.
Acting
Binoche's restraint—every micro-expression of guilt.
Direction
Carrère's documentary-trained eye, merciless and intimate.
Writing
Dialogue so real you'll check if it's improvised.
Director
Emmanuel Carrère
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Based on Florence Aubenas's real undercover journalism; Carrère collaborated with her to avoid 'poverty porn' clichés.
Carrère cast actual ferry cleaners alongside Binoche—some didn't know she was an actress until filming ended.
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