© Cannes Film Festival
Directed by Cannes newcomer Delphine Deloget, ‘All to Play For’ is a stirring and poignant drama set to premiere at the Cannes Film Festival’s Un Certain Regard competition. Anchored by an emotionally charged performance from the recent César Award-winner Virginie Efira, the film explores the harsh reality of a single mother striving against societal and systemic obstacles in modern France.
Original Title: Rien à Perdre
Directed by: Delphine Deloget
Year: 2023
Country: France
Length: 112 minutes
Deloget’s directorial debut powerfully encapsulates the struggle of the working class through its compelling protagonist Sylvie, played by Efira with a blend of grit and vulnerability that tugs at the heartstrings. Sylvie, a single mother working nights in a bar, grapples with raising two children in a lower-class household, including Jean-Jacques, a promising trumpeter, and her youngest, Sofiane.
The narrative takes a harrowing turn when Sofiane suffers burns in an accident while alone at home. In the aftermath, Child Protective Services steps in, escalating into an excruciating battle that sees Sofiane placed in foster care. Deloget deftly captures the bureaucratic process that strips Sylvie of her parental rights, reducing her visits to Sofiane from fortnightly to none and ultimately moving him to a distant home.
‘All to Play For’ is a visceral exploration of a mother’s love tested by the punishing blows of a class-biased system. Deloget’s narrative is unflinching and devastatingly realistic, illustrating the cold, impersonal machinery of CPS juxtaposed against the intimate desperation of a mother fighting for her child.
Efira’s performance as Sylvie is a masterclass in emotional depth and nuance. Her portrayal of Sylvie’s descent into despair is heart-wrenching, yet her spirit remains unbroken, embodying the resilience of a woman pushed to the brink by systemic prejudice.
The film’s French title, ‘Rien à Perdre’, perfectly encapsulates Sylvie’s predicament. She has nothing left to lose, and so she fights with every ounce of her being against the system that threatens to take away her son. The film confronts the viewer with the uncomfortable reality of socio-economic disparity and the often-unseen human cost of bureaucracy.
Deloget’s debut is a bold and unrelenting indictment of social inequality, delivered through a deeply personal and emotional narrative. ‘All to Play For’ is a powerful commentary on the human condition, making it a must-watch for those seeking a film that combines profound emotional resonance with a potent social message. With a standout performance from Efira and Deloget’s promising direction, ‘Rien à Perdre’ is a film that addresses an all-too-real problem and constantly reminds the audience of its urgency.
´All to Play For´ premiered at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as part of the Un Certain Regard competition.
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