The French drama "The Triumph" tells the story of prisoners who are offered to become actors. How creativity turns their lives around and what a Russian actor is doing in a European prison — all answers in this review.

The inexhaustible source of inspiration continues to be the theme of how creativity can change a person and their life, how deeply and irrevocably. Another reflection in search of answers to these questions is the French drama "The Triumph" by Emmanuel Courcol. As it happens, the film was released worldwide in August 2020, but only reached Russia in December of this year (premiere in cinemas — December 23). And it's a pity, because the film is intriguing.

This is a story about a group of prisoners who are trying to instill a love for high art. In one French prison, five volunteers are offered to try on the role of an artist. The father-mentor in theater becomes a failed actor Etienne, played by the talented Kad Merad, and his protégés are people who do not understand conclusions more complex than the moral of fables. The theater director suggests that the "troupe" stage an absurdist play by Samuel Beckett, "Waiting for Godot", and they have only six months to prepare.

At first glance, there is nothing particularly new in "The Triumph." A similar theme was raised by Russian director Kirill Pletnev in the film "Burn!" about a prisoner who gave vocal lessons to her overseer. The story is a bit different, but the message is broadly the same: art can transform the world, even in a prison universe full of restrictions and prohibitions. Even in Tony Kaye's film "Detachment" with Adrien Brody, one can notice common features with "The Triumph." It is the same story of an attempt to instill a love for culture and art, but only among students from a disadvantaged school. For them, it is also a way to avoid a future in prison.

The peculiarity of the French drama is, first of all, that the plot is based on real events. In the mid-1980s, theater director Jan Jönson decided to stage a play with inmates of the Swedish prison "Kumla." Such a background gives the film realism and allows one to feel a special empathy for the characters.

Through the behavior and phrases of the characters, the director of "The Triumph," Emmanuel Courcol, shows the collision of the familiar world and the world where people are constantly waiting: for a meeting with relatives, a walk, lunch, a new day. The entire film is imbued not only with love for theater but also with love for people — all people, without dividing them into good and bad.

This is a film about humanity that makes you think about how often we judge a book by its cover, ignoring the content. "The Triumph" once again proves that social frameworks separate people with invisible walls, but art makes everyone equal.

In this film, as in many prison-themed ones, the issue of regaining respect for oneself, not only from others but also from oneself, is raised. Closely related to this is the story of self-acceptance and forgiveness for past sins. It is interesting how the worlds of Etienne and the "third-rate people" come together, not opposing but complementing each other. The actor, who has ruined his relationship with his family, feels needed again, and the prisoners' lives suddenly gain purpose; they find their own personal achievable Everest.

A pleasant bonus of "The Triumph" is Alexander Medvedev, who finds himself among French prisoners. The Russian actor adds cultural flavor and a touch of a different mentality to the tight-knit group.

"The Triumph" is a film-agreement based on trust between the viewer, ready to look at art from the prisoners' perspective without judgment, and the director, who speaks simply about people lost and forgotten by society. Just as Etienne trusts his "troupe" not to escape when given the chance during the tour with the play.

The wind has a taste, — says one of the prisoners, longing for the world outside the prison bars.

If we forget all the subtleties and details, the story in "The Triumph" is a kind of loose adaptation of the familiar fairy tale about Cinderella. More precisely, about five Cinderellas and one plump, bearded prince.

"The Triumph" is in cinemas from December 23.