Ecoute Le Temps
AKA: Fissures
Year: 2009
Director: Alante Kavaite
Studio: Lifesize Entertainment
Stars: Emilie Dequenne, Mathieu Demy, Ludmila Mikael
MPAA Rating: Not Rated
Running Time: 83 Mins
Language: French with English subtitles



“Ecoute Le Temps (Fissures)" is about Charlotte, an alienated sound engineer, who travels to her mother’s home, after she was murdered. Very angry about the way the investigation is going, she sets out to find out what really happened to her mother. While recording the sounds in her mother’s house, Charlotte discovers strange noises that contain information about past event in the house. She then uses that, in order to reconstruct the last days of her mother’s life. As Charlotte is able to piece everything together, the killer is looking to kill her before it’s identity is discovered.

“Ecoute Le Temps (Fissures)” is a dark and tense mystery. Alante Kavaite direction was very dark and imagery like. One of the things that make it both visual and moody was the way that he shot the film. Lavaite shoots it in a way that makes the images take over, while the story develops. He captures the tone of the film, by the locations that he uses. It give the film its darkness and somber tone, which makes the mystery very engaging. Lavaite also does a very good job with his actors and actresses, as the performances help drive this film as it will get you into the mystery considering that there not a lot of action that goes on, as it’s more of a thinking mystery and character study.

The screenplay is the main reason why this film succeeds, on all levels. One of the reasons for that, the way Lavaite moves the story along. It’s done, in a very slow pace. Normally it would be a bad thing, but for this type of movie it works. The reason for that is, he wanted to develop the characters thorough the various flashbacks that takes place. It does two things. First, it goes into the main character’s state of mind. It makes the character interesting and makes you want to follow her, as she tries to put the pieces together. Finally it gives backstory to the characters and the crime that took place, in the beginning of the film. That’s needed, in order to get the viewer involved with the case and make you interested in the characters and relationships. Another thing, I also really liked, the way Lavaite doesn’t force the action, as a lot of mysteries have, especially towards the end of the film. He doesn’t do that, because Lavaite wants to focus on the main character and her obsession with solving her mother’s case. That makes everything feel dark, which is needed for this type of film. It also makes it more of a character study than a full-fledged mystery.

“Ecoute Le Temps (Fissures)” is really one of those hidden indie gems that is currently out on Dvd, right now. I highly suggest you find it, when at your local video. It’s very different kind of mystery that makes you more about the character than the case.

Review Rating: Five Stars