My New Friends

Lucie (Isabelle Huppert), a widow who works as police officer, befriends a family that has moved in next door. With their help, her loneliness and passiveness gradually start to go away. Unfortunately, the new family holds values that conflict with Lucie's. The father of the family, Yann, is an artist and an activist who opposes the police. While watching the film, one can't help but think about the police violence of recent years, which has also occurred in Finland. Premiered in the Panorama series at Berlinale, the film manages to humanize both parties and show how people can learn from each other, as long as they manage to communicate. Especially endearing is Lucie's friendship with the family's child. At the same time, Lucie's inner monologue and constant jogging create a hypnotic touch throughout the entire work.

Juho Lipponen