LOVE WINS

LE DERNIER SOUFFLE

2024 / 100 min / color

Costa-Gavras has been well-known as a master of political thrillers for many many years, but his new film revolves around entirely different issues. Last Breath is a poignant, deeply humanist story about the anxieties of aging, of trying to come to terms with the inevitable, and eventually passing away on one’s own terms. The film is structured within a framework of philosophical discussions between a popular writer and a specialist in palliative care. It’s largely set in a hospital, where the writer has an opportunity to join the doctor as he goes about his daily duties, making rounds and meeting with patients. He hears their stories, observes their reactions and gets a first-hand look at the bond they’ve forged with the staff. In these final moments of life, each patient needs something different – the closeness of family, a conversation about the afterlife, or simple hand-holding. In addition to the two lead actors, Denys Podalydès and Kad Merad, it’s the beautifully-written supporting characters, played by Charlotte Rampling, Ángela Molina and others, that catch the eye. The film by 92-year-old (!) Costa-Gavras captivates the viewer with its warmth, wisdom and deep respect for human life.