Voleurs De Chevaux

Micha Wald, remember that name. Not only is he the director of this gem of a film, which is his feature length debut, but also the director of Alice Et Moi, which got him a prize at the Cannes film festival in 2004, and is a comic delight. This short film was shown before the screening of Voleurs De Chevaux (Horse Thieves), and after seeing both, comes to really show the differences between the two. Voleurs De Cheuvaux is this epic tale of brotherly love that goes deep. It's a beautiful film from start to finish, wonderfully shot and strongly acted. The way the camera lingers to show the sky and makes full use of the surroundings the film is shot in set up the setting of the film prefectly. Looking at the images you feel like wandering through those woods yourself, feeling really part of the 19th century the films is set in. In a time where men looked scruffy, not caring too much about taking baths and rather throwing themselves into rivers to wash them, Voleurs De Chevaux shows also the way people came to take care of their family, being very protective and providing in their own means to survive. Voleurs De Chevaux is divided into three parts and shows both Jakub and his younger brother Vladimir as well as Roman and his younger brother Elias. It starts by a meeting between the four that the film later gets back to after telling the story of the first two brothers. Then the story of the two other brothers gets told and eventually the outcome after their lives come to intertwine is shown. By then however, the film, unfortunately, has lost part of its magic, which could be felt so strongly throughout the first parts. Still, though, it keeps you watching and is good, though not as strong as first. It just becomes a bit too long with Jakub following the other two brothers, making attempt after attempt to get back at the harm the oldest of the two, Roman, has caused him. Still Voleurs De Chevaux is a must-see, and consists of so much beauty, you want to scream out from your seat in appreciation because of the joy you feel sipping through your body and want everyone to experience. The film consist out of a young cast full of great talent and led by Adrien Jolivet who plays Jakub, the brother who, out of all four gets the most screentime and who the spectator comes to learn most about. He is the one who the film comes to depend on in showing how certain actions come to affect the brothers. Jolivet portrays Jakub as a strong young boy with a good spirit and intelligence, trying to proof himself and be the best older brother he can be. Very protective of his younger brother Vladimir, he also tries to set the best example, so Vladimir has someone he can really look up to. Jakub definitely is the most experienced of the two which shows when the two enter into becoming Cossacks, during which he easily clims a horse and starts riding, very much to the surprise of the big Cossack leader who teaches the boys in what being a real Cossack is about. Vladimir, Jakub's younger brother, played by Grégoire Leprince-Ringuet who also stars in Christophe Honoré's latest film, Les Chanson D'Amour, a modern musical similar to John Carney's Once, is the brother who out of the four main characters comes endure the toughest of pains. Portrayed as the opposite of Jakub, he's less socially equipped and has less guts than his older brother has. Grégoire Colin, who plays Roman, makes a very powerful appearance, almost beastlike when angry and causing quite some scare into the people around him, but also the audience watching. Elias, played by François-René Dupont in his debuting role, is the youngest of all brothers shown and the one who seems most sympathetic, kind and charming, still showing very much innocence. It's therefore tough to have to watch him choose between his own brother and Jakub who he soon after meeting, comes to admire and look up to. At times Voleurs De Chevaux can be quite brutal in its depiction of violence and therefore comes to feel quite masculine. Coming to think of it, it can be said to be more of a male film, not romanticizing things, but just shows life as it was in the time the film is set. And showing the deep bond that exists between some brothers, which the bond between sisters can not compare to, guys watching the film, especially those with an older or younger brother themselves, will probably come to feel more closely connected to the film's characters and story. Altogether Micha Wald has made a perfect film which show his great skills as a director and a storyteller who seems to have a great eye for natural beauty. Voleurs De Chevaux will encourage young directors to start making their own film and shows what can be achieved when you start with making shorts, which can bring you critical acclaim and perhaps a chance to make a feature length film just like Wald achideved in doing.

What is it about?

Two young guys are playing in a river on what seems a perfect sunny day, while their horses stand waiting on the river bank. However, the two guys are't the only ones around. Carefully approaching their horses are this young boy and this older guy. Making a whistling sound to lead the horses towards him, the boy manages to get hold of the horses and together with the older guy the two of them take off. One of the young guys in the water takes notice and quickly pulls himself out of the water, but it seems already to late. Next, the same boy, who goes by the name Jakub, is seen asking for a little spare money or food in what seems to be a bar. Together with his younger brother Vladimir he manages to get the chance to become a real Cossack, when pleading for the leader of the group of Cossacks who just entered the bar, to let the boys be part of thir group of young men who they give the chance to become Cossacks. Given a place to sleep and eat, the boys have to work hard to earn their spot. Thrown into a group of various young men all wanting to become part of the Cossacks the young men have to perform taks and are taught how to fight and ride a horse. Vladimir, Jakub's younger brother, in contrast to Jakub doesn't make any real progress. Whereas Jakub manages to show off his talent, quickly becoming the best of the group, Vladimir seems to have some trouble. To Jakub this all seems strange as it is him who taught his younger brother how to ride a horse, which he therefore should easily be capable of doing. Soon Jakub comes to learn about the other guys treating his younger brother badly, making Jakub errupt into this rage of anger. Noone should ever touch his brother or even come near him. His love for Vladimir goes deeply and it shows in his protective ways. Once the two brothers are accepted by the group of Cossacks, being themsleves now Cossacks as well, playing in the river, the film brings them back to the beginning, where their horses get stolen. The young boy and older guy stealing the horses turn out to be brothers too and like Jakub, the oldest one, Roman is highly protective of the younger Elias, just the way Jakub is.

Final Verdict: *****

Even though the film fails at being completely perfect, because the small detail of after the first parts of the film, it starts to slow down too much, making it feel to run a bit too long, it still definitely comes close to it. It's a new favourite, which asks for another viewing, if possible on the big screen to experience it in its most beautiful. Micha Wald has made this epic tale, a combination of sadness and revenge and all filmed in this beautiful landscape showing lots of greens and ponds of water. The young cast of actors really carry the film very well and for some of them Voleurs De Chevaux might be the beginning of a solid career or at least lead them into the right direction. Voleurs De Chevaux was for me a very pleasant suprise and brought me more joy than I expected. Not only the story is heartbreaking, but also the performances and some shots of the beautiful scenery will take your breath away and will make you want to pick up a camera yourself and start recording the wonderful world around you just like the makers of Voleurs De Chevaux have done. With Voleurs De Chevaux Wald has made a very gritty film, that feels fresh because of the young cast and characters and very natural and earthly. It's one of the best films I saw recently and an't wait to experience again.