Bloody Oranges 2022

In a bustling gymnastics arena, a panel of judges is faced with the challenge of assessing various duos in a rock dancing competition. The conversation takes an intriguing turn when they debate whether one participant’s performance should be rated more favorably due to her walking with a limp—a situation triggering an intense discussion about disability politics and the concept of positive discrimination. Just as the debate heats up, the competition host, Patrice Laffont, intervenes, suggesting that an elderly couple be included in the top three finalists to cater to their sponsor’s desire for diversity.

During the thrilling competition, multiple couples perform energetic swing dances to lively American rock melodies. Among them are Laurence (Lorella Cravotta) and Olivier (Olivier Saladin), a spirited older couple whose captivating performance earns them a well-deserved standing ovation. They ultimately advance to the final round, only to learn from their bankers that they are deeply in debt—78,000 euros to be precise. The couple realizes that winning the competition would grant them an SUV, which could significantly alleviate their financial woes if sold. They can find solace in each other as they watch a program featuring the Minister of Finance, who ardently defends new pension policies.

Meanwhile, Stéphane Lemarchand (Christophe Paou), the Minister of Finance, is entangled in a meeting with Thierry (Denis Podalydès) and Alexandre (Alexandre Steiger), his son, as he worries about a journalist inquiring about his alleged foreign bank accounts. In the backdrop, Louise (Lilith Grasmug), a 16-year-old, nervously attends her first gynecological appointment. She candidly asks her doctor, Blanche Gardin, about losing her virginity to an older boy at an upcoming gathering.

In the political arena, Lemarchand finds himself grappling with financial shortcomings, brainstorming with his team about generating an additional 22 billion euros in a mere three months. Ideas are thrown around, including doubling university fees and imposing stricter taxes on social benefits, showcasing the lengths to which they will go to protect their interests.

As the narrative shifts, Louise faces a humiliating encounter with a rude taxi driver while on her bike, leading her to vividly retaliate against him. At a family dinner celebrating Laurence’s 60th birthday, Alexandre voices his discontent about various aspects of the evening, sparking family grievances. Adding tension, Olivier’s card is unexpectedly declined, while Laurence steps in to cover the expenses.

In a bid to rebuild his public image, Lemarchand participates in a staged interview designed to portray him as relatable. However, behind closed doors, he and his associates acknowledge risks surrounding undisclosed financial dealings. The Minister then finds himself in dire straits when a flat tire leads him to a sketchy house, where he unwittingly becomes the victim of a heinous act.

As the plot develops, both scenes of the elegant dance competition and its stark, violent counterpoint intertwine, with Olivier and Laurence showcasing their passion while Lemarchand endures a brutal humiliation, culminating in his public exposure in front of Parliament.

Louise, on her ecstatic return from a party, faces the horror of being abducted by a nefarious individual. After a horrifying ordeal, she bravely turns the tables, resulting in a dramatic confrontation that shakes the audience. After this tumultuous chain of events, Laurence and Olivier face contemplation of a tragic end, leaving their futures shrouded in despair.

As dawn breaks, their fateful decision leads to shocking revelations for Alexandre, who learns of his parents’ hidden struggles just as he encounters the same taxi driver from earlier, resulting in a painful confrontation that exemplifies the tangled threads of their lives.

The shocking events culminate in a courtroom, where Alexandre is compelled to represent Louise, who wishes to frame her actions as a conscious act of retribution, defying expectations to reveal her powerful agency. The narrative comes full circle with the image of Louise exiting the courthouse, surrounded by supporters who regard her as a symbol of resilience, as she navigates a world rife with challenges following her harrowing journey. The final twist leaves audiences in awe as the rude taxi driver spirals into chaos, symbolizing the sometimes poetic and brutal nature of fate.