Let's be realistic.

How sad is this?

Charming and brutal

A very feeble attempt at affirmatie action

A crash. As a result how a person may evaluate what's really important in life. This is not an altogether unfamiliar scenario and one that can be done well. This film struck me as distinctly not knowing where it stood. Was it a full-on soul searching drama. Was it a light comedy? Was it an off the cuff indie film? Was it a road film? It seemed to jump from each to each depending on the directors mood I guess. I know well enough that a film could be several things but in this case it was clear as day, as least for me, that the director could not piece the film together to build any tension or rhythm.I could not join the dots. It seems as if the characters underwent no transformation. The characters were mildly interesting at best and struck me as selfish. The dialogue was uninteresting. Jean Seberg's poster reminded me that two people talking about nothing could be fascinating, as in Godard's "a bout de soufflé" (breathless). Not here.I saw Bergman's 'Summer with Monika' which has two young people living on an island for a summer. That film had tension, passion and ultimately a conclusion that we cared about. Just when this film couldn't get any worse he goes and gets a coma. Who cares. "I Know. It's Serious" Morrissey. Thankyou.

Simone (Pascale Bussières) is a young Canadian fashion model who is on the brink of a brilliant career. But this bright future could be thwarted due to a serious car accident of which she miraculously survives. In the aftermath, she decides to put an end to her professional life and becomes obsessed with the idea to have a baby. So, she persuades her best friend, Philippe (Alexis Martin) to act with and for her and the latter accepts provided they do it in the desert. A few days later, they are in this silent, eerie place..."Un 32 Août Sur Terre" is a curious work that will puzzle a good proportion of viewers. It reminded me a lot of "Twentynine Palms" (2003) by Bruno Dumont although this film is posterior to Denis Villeneuve's film. This was also a film set in an ominous, desert place and in which evolved two tortured characters. They had (wild) sex there and they were surrounded by an unforgiving humanity. In a way, humanity isn't also very gentle to Simone and Philippe in this film: the taxi driver jettisons them in the desert, Alexis is bludgeoned by a gang of ruffians.Simone's demeanor leaves the ground open for many interpretations: is it because she came close to death that she wants to have a baby? Does she want to discover a new way of life? And if so, where does it lead her? Apart from other many questions that will rise in the viewer's mind, Villeneuve deftly uses the desert landscapes to create majestic, entrancing images. It's even a sort of "in camera" that the director manages to create. A sensation that will come again later when the two friends are in the cramped hotel room. The sense of fantastic is palpable throughout the film: from this car accident to these extra days in August that don't exist to this irrational sequence during which the gang beat Philippe to death. In the end, Villeneuve shrouds his film with a philosophical dimension revolving around life and death.In Philippe's house, there's a cover depicting Jean Seberg who saw her career taking off thanks to Jean-Luc "God Ard"'s "A Bout De Soufflé" (1959). Godard's detractors blame him for his intellectual pretensions which clutter his works. Many viewers will also deem this work as highbrow and elusive for understandable reasons. Keep it for a day during which you are prone to reflection and thought as it's not a work for the mainstream. And for French viewers, beware! As Quebec people speak with a very pronounced accent, it's sometimes difficult to decipher their words

This film was one of three movies at the Hyderabad Film Festival in January 1999 that caught my eye.For a first feature film by a director, this effort is commendable. No doubt this Canadian was helped with the choice of a stunning actress, a good editor, and above average cinematography. The weakest point was the script.I look forward to seeing more films by this director and the lead actress Pascale Bussières. Denis Villeneuve has talent, it only needs to be developed further through experience.

This wonderful and surprising movie is one of the most memorable and affecting Canadian films of the past decade. Acting is outstanding, mise-en-scene stylish and compelling. Well worth making a special effort to see...