Although not strictly autobiographical, Norwegian writer-director Erik Poppe's English-language drama is certainly informed by his former career as a war photographer. Juliette Binoche delivers a brilliantly layered performance as Rebecca, a photojournalist working in the world's most dangerous trouble spots. While documenting the journey of a female suicide bomber en route to her target in Kabul, Rebecca is injured when the bomb goes off prematurely (partially due to Rebecca's own last-minute squeamishness), and she returns home to recuperate. Her husband (Nikolaj Coster-Waldau) says that he and their daughters can no longer live with the uncertainty created by her long absences and the fear that she might never return, so she decides at last to settle down. When her socially-conscious teen daughter (Lauryn Canny) talks her into a visit to a supposedly safe refugee camp in Kenya, however, an outbreak of violence forces Rebecca to choose between her child and what she sees as an obligation to show the world what's happening. An emotionally complex and dramatically challenging film that will have viewers questioning whether Rebecca is a principled reporter or an adrenaline addict, this is highly recommended. [Note: DVD extras include an interview with director Erik Poppe (15 min.), a behind-the-scenes featurette (8 min.), interviews with costars Lauryn Canny (7 min.), Juliette Binoche [with Poppe] (5 min.), and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau (5 min.), text cast and crew bios, and trailers. Bottom line: a solid extras package for a fine drama.] (F. Swietek)
1,000 Times Good Night
Film Movement, 117 min., not rated, DVD: $24.95, Dec. 23 Volume 30, Issue 2
1,000 Times Good Night
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