The double meaning in this film makes it well-worth seeing. Based on a story by Doris Lessing, it probes the life of Victoria, a French-born woman of African ancestry who gives birth to a daughter by Thomas, a white Frenchman who is the scion of a left-wing but rich Parisian family. Far from being racist, the rich family rejoices in their newly-found grand daughter and showers her with gifts and affection, much to Victoria's discomfort. By inviting us to tease out the reason for Victoria's alienation, director Civeyrac offers an analysis of racial conflicts in modern Europe.
Or does he?
Perhaps there is a different way to look at Victoria's life. There is little overt racism in the film. Victoria's best friend (also black, and the narrator of the film) bounds through college, lands a perfect job as a reader for a publisher and moves easily through the mixed race society of Paris. Watch the film carefully and you might discover more reasons for Victoria's pain than the colour of her skin.
Or does he?
Perhaps there is a different way to look at Victoria's life. There is little overt racism in the film. Victoria's best friend (also black, and the narrator of the film) bounds through college, lands a perfect job as a reader for a publisher and moves easily through the mixed race society of Paris. Watch the film carefully and you might discover more reasons for Victoria's pain than the colour of her skin.