Skip to main content

Slalom (2020)


Slalom is a Franco-Belgian drama film directed by Charlène Favier, released in 2020. This is the director's first feature-length fiction film.

This riveting, Cannes-selected #MeToo drama from debut filmmaker Charlène Favier follows the relationship between a teenage ski prodigy and her predatory instructor, played by frequent Dardenne brothers collaborator Jérémie Renier. In a breakthrough role, Noée Abita plays 15-year-old Lyz, a high school student in the French Alps who has been accepted to an elite ski club known for producing some of the country's top professional athletes. Taking a chance on his new recruit, ex-champion turned coach Fred decides to mold Lyz into his shining star despite her lack of experience. Under his influence, she will have to endure more than the physical and emotional pressure of the training. Will Lyz's determination help her escape Fred's exploitative grip?

Freddy and Krasnaya Movie Review
***SPOILER ALERT***

K: Slalom, to me, is a really good drama. We see a coach and his 15-year-old student trying to achieve their goals under some unresolved psychological problems. Lyz (Noée Abita) is a lonely girl, her parents are divorced and she manages to get into an elite slalom school. She adores skiing and through it, tries to get her parents attention by showing that she's worth something. She finds this needed attention in her coach, Fred (Jérémie Renier) who sees her potential.

F: I know who would love this movie if he was alive. Jeffrey Epstein 😂. At least some of his island buddies can still enjoy it. Yes, pedophilia. This movie is able to show in a very intelligent manner the innocence of being 15. Even if you look and act like an adult, you are still very much a child. The movie feels a little claustrophobic because of all the snow, it seems like we never change location. I felt trapped, so maybe there was an intention from the director to make you feel like that. I enjoyed the movie and the actors did great. Every dialogue and action felt realistic.

Slalom Ski Scene 2020
This is a cool scene.
K: The scene where Fred explains Lyz that menstruation is a cosmic process and she doesn't have to be ashamed of it, shows how distant Lyz was from her mother. When Lyz finally won her first championship, it seemed to me that Fred was taken back and felt he had that pedestal, the one he never had due to his injury. So, he gets so excited that he crosses the limits with Lyz. So slowly from the triumph they fell down into the misery of shame, abuse and total confusion. That confusion disappears when Lyz's mother finally says she's sorry for being such a bad mother.

F: The first time our main character, Lyz, was abused I had to laugh. It was so strange, so out of nowhere and primitive. Even though it looked stupid, it made sense and I can imagine a sexual deviant acting exactly like that.
It's a serious matter and totally disgusting in real life, but I found the scene very funny. You win the cup and your coach gets horny for a little handjob.😂
The second time Lyz got abused it wasn't so funny and made me feel uncomfortable. Especially those moments after the rape. 
That's how you fuck up someone for the rest of their life. I wanted to see pervy-pedo Freddy being arrested but the movie had made its point.

Dude tongue kissing car windows
That kid has some sweet moves!
F: I enjoyed the ski parts very much. They looked very cool with the music. There was also a reference to Little Red Riding Hood that I thought was cute.
It's not a long movie and it shows in very simple terms how an abusive pedophile relationship can go, and how people can be tricked by themselves to not do anything to stop it. This is the case of Fred's partner, for example.
The message for me is that the world is filled with perverts, unfortunately, and if you have kids, you should be around to help them grow up.

K: I loved the storytelling of the movie, the picture is incredible (oh, I miss the snow so much) and some references too. The movie sucks you into the scenes and you only leave when the closing credits appear on screen with some beautiful music. It was a worthwhile movie that made me think and feel.

Teenage Boobies
These are NOT underage boobies you pervert!
Freddy's Score: 68/100
Krasnaya's Score: 80/100

FINAL SCORE

Q&A WITH DIRECTOR CHARLÈNE FAVIER

Comments

  1. im interested in watching this movie. where can i find it? can i download it here?

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Flow (2024)

Plot Summary: A stray cat navigates a post-apocalyptic flood, forming unexpected bonds with other animals as they struggle to survive in an ever-changing world. Without dialogue or anthropomorphism, the film delivers an emotional journey of resilience and adaptation. Director: Gints Zilbalodis Producer: MatÄ«ss Kaža, Gints Zilbalodis, Ron Dyens, Gregory Zalcman Screenplay: Gints Zilbalodis, MatÄ«ss Kaža Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Video Game or a Movie? And we’re back! Still haven’t finished my Frank Oz filmography (only two movies to go!), but hey, when do I even have time to watch movies alone anymore? So, here we are again with another animated feature. This time, it’s Flow by Latvian director Gints Zilbalodis, a film that has racked up awards and was entirely made using Blender. At first, I was worried. The opening scene ...

The Wild Robot (2024)

Plot Summary: After a shipwreck leaves her stranded on a remote island, a robot named Roz must learn to survive in the wild. As she adapts to her new environment, Roz befriends the local wildlife and becomes the caretaker of an orphaned gosling, discovering the meaning of family, survival, and identity. Director: Chris Sanders Producer: DreamWorks Animation Screenplay: Chris Sanders, Peter Brown Starring: Lupita Nyong'o as Roz Pedro Pascal as Fink Kit Connor as Brightbill Bill Nighy as Longneck Stephanie Hsu as Vontra Matt Berry as Paddler Catherine O'Hara as Pinktail Ving Rhames as Thunderbolt   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Wild Ride with The Wild Robot Today we crash on the couch to watch The Wild Robot, DreamWorks’ adaptation of Peter Brown’s 2016 novel, the first in a trilogy. Hype levels were high after seeing all the gl...

Robot Dreams (2023)

Plot Summary: In 1980s NYC, a lonely dog buys a robot for companionship. After an accident separates them, both embark on journeys of longing, growth, and self-discovery, leading to an emotional conclusion. Director: Pablo Berger Producer: Arcadia Motion Pictures, Noodles Production, Les Films du Worso Screenplay: Pablo Berger (based on the graphic novel by Sara Varon) Starring: No voice cast (dialogue-free film)   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Robot, A Dog, and a Lot of Feelings Another Sunday, another animated movie—this time, the critically acclaimed Robot Dreams, an adaptation of the book by Sara Varon. Right off the bat, this animation stands out with its slick flat-color style and complete lack of dialogue. It creates a beautifully detailed world where there’s always something to miss on the first watch. Set in a vibrant 1980s New York City populated by hundreds of ...

The Score (2001)

Plot Summary: Nick Wells, a veteran safe-cracker ready to retire and settle with his girlfriend Diane, is pulled into one last heist by his fence Max. Partnered with ambitious thief Jack Teller, they aim to steal a priceless French scepter from the Montreal Customs House, facing tension, trust issues, and betrayal. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Gary Foster, Lee Rich Screenplay: Kario Salem (story and screenplay), Daniel E. Taylor (story), Lem Dobbs, Scott Marshall Smith Starring: Robert De Niro as  Nick Wells Edward Norton as Jack Teller/Brian Marlon Brando as Max,  Angela Bassett as Diane   ***SPOILER ALERT*** A Heist Worth the Hype Finally got around to continuing my Frank Oz film journey, and tonight’s pick was The Score. A two-hour-and-forty-minute heist flick that I had been saving for when I had some serious s...

Muppet Guys Talking (2017)

Plot Summary: *Muppet Guys Talking* is a delightful and intimate documentary where legendary Muppet performers come together to share behind-the-scenes stories, their creative process, and heartfelt memories of working with Jim Henson. Directed by Frank Oz, this candid conversation between the original Muppet team offers humor, nostalgia, and a deep appreciation for the art of puppetry and storytelling. Director: Frank Oz Producers: Victoria Labalme, Frank Oz Cast: Frank Oz as Himself Jerry Nelson as Himself Fran Brill as Herself Bill Barretta as Himself Dave Goelz as Himself   Sesame Street and My Childhood Escape To wrap up Frank Oz’s filmography, what better way than with the ultra-casual, heartwarming documentary Muppet Guys Talking? Now, I’ve mentioned before that I was never a hardcore Muppets fan, but Sesame Street? That was a different stor...

10 Lives (2024)

Plot Summary: Beckett, a spoiled and selfish housecat, takes his nine lives for granted. After recklessly losing his final life, he is granted ten more—but with a catch. Director: Chris Jenkins Producers: Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon, Ash Brannon, Ernesto Matamoros, Leland Cox Screenplay: Chris Jenkins, Karen Wengrod, Ken Cinnamon Starring: Mo Gilligan as Beckett Simone Ashley as Rose Ashley Sophie Okonedo as Grace Zayn Malik as Kirk and Cameron Dylan Llewellyn as Larry Llewellyn Jeremy Swift as Happy Bill Nighy as Professor Richard Craven   ***SPOILER ALERT*** Nine Lives Too Many Saturday afternoon with 10 Lives, directed by Christopher Jenkins. Jenkins has been in animation since at least 1988, starting as an effects animator on Who Framed Roger Rabbit. Now he brings us this 2024 film about Beckett, a selfish cat who loses his las...