I wasn't quite sure what to expect with this documentary as I was going into it with very little idea other than it was following the Foreign Minister for Luxembourg on a whistle stop diplomatic tour. As we accompany Mr. Asselborn on his tour I was surprised at the access we had to him and his discussions, as the camera always seemed to maintain a safe distance so as not to be obtrusive.
I really liked the layers that were presented, first the individual in his garden, or lounging silently at home with his wife and wonderfully coloring in his personal interest in cycling, then the portrayal of the committed diplomat working behind the scenes with his team formulating speeches and asking questions on fact finding missions. (although I was quite surprised that a foreign affairs minister with 10 years experience had to be educated on the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims.) then finally the Minister in his official capacity either giving speeches in the UN or EU and meeting with other foreign diplomats.
This is a very quiet documentary and the camera often lingers long on it's subject giving you time to interpret every nuance of expression or movement. The quiet shots are beautifully framed and stand in stark contrast to the hand held moments where the camera follows Mr. Asselborn through the chaos of high security meetings of foreign diplomats. My favourite scene was the cycling in the Swiss Alps where the subject indulges his love of the sport in a short break from the pressure of his job, by this point we are familiar with the diplomat, the husband and the man and his excitement at the prospect of hitting the road is clear. The scene ends with him slowly ascending the Swiss alps alone, peddling at a steady pace into the fog hanging low above him which I couldn't help but think was symbolic of his line of work. The future being unclear but him just focusing on pushing forward one foot at at time.
I really liked the layers that were presented, first the individual in his garden, or lounging silently at home with his wife and wonderfully coloring in his personal interest in cycling, then the portrayal of the committed diplomat working behind the scenes with his team formulating speeches and asking questions on fact finding missions. (although I was quite surprised that a foreign affairs minister with 10 years experience had to be educated on the difference between Sunni and Shia Muslims.) then finally the Minister in his official capacity either giving speeches in the UN or EU and meeting with other foreign diplomats.
This is a very quiet documentary and the camera often lingers long on it's subject giving you time to interpret every nuance of expression or movement. The quiet shots are beautifully framed and stand in stark contrast to the hand held moments where the camera follows Mr. Asselborn through the chaos of high security meetings of foreign diplomats. My favourite scene was the cycling in the Swiss Alps where the subject indulges his love of the sport in a short break from the pressure of his job, by this point we are familiar with the diplomat, the husband and the man and his excitement at the prospect of hitting the road is clear. The scene ends with him slowly ascending the Swiss alps alone, peddling at a steady pace into the fog hanging low above him which I couldn't help but think was symbolic of his line of work. The future being unclear but him just focusing on pushing forward one foot at at time.
