Polytechnique

The films of Canadian director Denis Villeneauve have been something of a revelation-all of them have been visually striking and compelling on the story level (Prisoner and Sicario) and Polytechnique (2009) is no exception. It is a black and white fictional retelling of a true-life tragedy in which a troubled young man (Maxium Gaudette) exacts revenge on "the feminists" he feels are tormenting him, by undertaking a shooting of young women at a college in Quebec. The story and impact of the shooting on o two of the survivors (Katherine Vanasse and Sebastian Huberdeau) is further explored. The cinematography is exceptional as beauty is found amongst all the troubling violence, so the cinematographer, Pierre Gill, should be singled out for a visually compelling experience. It is a powerful film.