In Le Système Victoria, Sylvain Desclous delves into the intricacies of the contemporary workplace to tell a story of passion and alienation. Adapted fromÉric Reinhardt's novel of the same name, the film follows David, an edgy site manager who is fascinated by Victoria, an ambitious HR director. Through their complex relationship, the film paints an uncompromising portrait of the excesses of capitalism and the dehumanizing pressures it engenders.
With Damien Bonnard in the lead role, accompanied by Jeanne Balibar, Le Système Victoria combines dramatic tension, social criticism and stylized direction. With cinematography inspired by Les Hommes du Président and a focus on long shots, the film promises an intense, immersive experience.
Le Système Victoria will be shown on the big screen from March 5, 2025.
Synopsis: David is in charge of a large high-rise building under construction in La Défense, France. Insurmountable delays, incessant pressure and overworked teams: he lives and breathes urgency. When he crosses paths with Victoria, the ambitious HR director of a multinational company, he is immediately seduced by her audacity and freedom. Between a passionate relationship and professional challenges, David finds himself trapped in a system that is beyond his control.
Le Système Victoria will appeal to fans of psychological dramas and stories rooted in contemporary social themes. Those who have enjoyed films such as Stéphane Brizé's Un autre monde or the Dardenne brothers' Deux jours, une nuit will find here an incisive critique of the world of work.
The film also explores dynamics of power and desire rarely highlighted in cinematic narratives, notably through a relationship in which the older woman occupies a position of mentorship and intellectual domination. This aspect, combined with the film's stylized direction and meticulous photography, will appeal to fans of auteur cinema.
On the other hand, the choice of a narrative focused exclusively on David's male point of view may disconcert those expecting a story with a more balanced perspective. Readers familiar with the original work may also be surprised by the novel's relative lack of carnality.
Sylvain Desclous 's adaptation departs fromÉric Reinhardt 's novel to accentuate the dramatic and political dimension of the story. By revisiting the book's ending and adopting David's unique point of view, the director adds extra tension, while setting the story within a reflection on the disillusionment of the professional world.
The collaboration between Damien Bonnard and Jeanne Balibar, who had already crossed paths in Ladj Ly's Les Misérables, adds emotional depth to the project. The film also benefits from the expertise of cinematographer Inès Tabarin, whose visual choices evoke the cinema of the 1970s, with contrasting light and long shots.
Part all-consuming passion, part social critique, The Victoria System is a powerful drama supported by nuanced performances and elegant direction. With its taut narrative and distinctive visual style, the film plunges us into a brutal, dehumanizing professional world, where emotions and ambitions collide.
This article is based on information available online; we have not yet viewed the film or series mentioned.
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