A political thriller based on a true story, Jean-Paul Salome’s La Syndicalisteis powered by a towering performance from one of the world’s great actors, Isabelle Huppert. Set in the world of nuclear power and corrupt politics, La Syndicaliste follows the true story of Maureen Kearney (Huppert), an experienced union rep who turns whistleblower when she discovers international backroom dealings, exposing secrets that shook the French nuclear sector. The story takes a harrowing turn when Maureen, fighting to bring the scandal to light, is violently sexually assaulted in her own home. As the attack is investigated, the police start to see Maureen as a suspect, not a victim, and she must fight to clear her name.
Huppert’s uproarious comic turn in Francois Ozone’s The Crime Is Mine was a highlight of the 2023 Vermont International Film Festival, but La Syndicaliste is an entirely different animal. Anchoring nearly every scene, she offers a deeply internal performance, suggesting the character’s inner turmoil rather than flaunting it. It’s a beautifully calibrated, deeply moving performance...add it to the list.
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