THE CONQUEST EXPLAINS WHY NICOLAS SARKOZY BECAME FRANCE’S PRESIDENT
The world has been hearing more about French President Nicolas Sarkozy nowadays. He is the one behind the intervention in Libya, and he recently confided that he perceived Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as a “liar.” The Conquest (La conquête), directed by Xavier Durringer, begins with a disclaimer that the story, though based on actual events, is fictional. The screenwriter, in other words, guesses at what takes place behind the scenes, showing how Sarkozy (played by Denis Podalydès) may have risen to the top of the political class in France, while using background music that lightens what is serious, thereby coloring the president’s antics with a bit of wry French irony. Sarkozy is portrayed as having media savvy, clever ways of appealing to extremes on the left and right, and seeing through the perfidy of President Jacques Chirac (played by Bernard Le Coq) and his main presidential opponent, Dominique de Villepin (played by Samuel Labarthe). Sarkozy appears to have no strong political views except for the need to appear strong, plainspoken (that is, blunt), and effective. Much of the film treats his estrangement from his wife Cécilia (played by Florence Pernel), whose disaffection from him is never explained adequately. What is most fascinating is that Sarkozy campaigns on “change” in 2007, possibly providing a role model for Barack Obama. For filmviewers outside France (and perhaps inside as well), the film provides some insight into the country’s politics. For that reason alone, the Political Film Society has nominated The Conquest as best film exposé of 2011. MH