A Violent Desire for Joy

Story

The French Revolution in the countryside: a monk has to choose between his holy vows and revolutionary cravings. France 1792: After a few years’ delay, the revolution reaches the remote mountain monastery of young monk Gabriel and his fellow brothers – in the form of a troop of exhausted soldiers and a silent woman called Marianne. Suddenly, everything Gabriel has believed in hitherto is called into question, old and new ideas fight for primacy in his head and heart. On the face of it an historical film, A Violent Desire for Joy also deals with contemporary issues such as the relationship between individuals and political movements and the psychology of revolution.

Director

CLÉMENT SCHNEIDER (*1989) studied at the Paris film school La Fémis. A Violent Desire for Joy is his first feature film and had its premiere in the ACID section at Cannes.

Trailer