I was interested in seeing MISERICORDIA because it has the same director as a haunting film I saw recently at a revival house, STRANGER BY THE LAKE from 2013. Both of them have to do with a killing and someone who knows who did it (or is virtually certain who did it), but chooses to remain silent. Both films examine why they made such choices and the consequences thereof. Both films also have a strong homosexual element and full-frontal male nudity. In addition, both were economically made with small casts in an isolated environment. STRANGER BY THE LAKE takes place at a gay nude beach, so there are very few costumes (making it even more economical!); MISERICORDIA takes place in a tiny village in southern France that is shrinking as people now earn their livelihood in nearby towns, so local businesses can't survive. One of those local businesses is the boulangerie/patisserie whose owner has just died. It is to attend his memorial service that Jeremie, a former employee, has come to the village. The widow of the deceased asks him to stay the night rather than drive back to Toulouse. While he is in her home, he looks through an album of the photos of the late baker. Jeremie appears to be especially interested in a photo of the man wearing a bikini. The widow remarks that the photo was from last year, and doesn't he look handsome. Jeremie wants a copy of the photo. The deceased's son, Vincent, is about Jeremie's same age, and it is hinted at that they had a sexual liaison, but it's vague. Jeremie decides to stay longer, which does not please the son who accuses him of staying because he wants to sleep with the widow, his mother. There is talk of Jeremie staying and taking over the bakery. Vincent wants him to get out of town. The local priest appears to have a sexual interest in Jeremie, too. There is a killing and a disappearance, which invokes a police investigation. Will the killer get caught? This is a rather macabre "comedy." It's all very fascinating and suspenseful. This is an offbeat art film that I enjoyed. I think it owes a little to Pasolini's TEOREMA. It's very well acted by the entire cast, and beautifully photographed. It has no musical score. I don't think it's for the mainstream audience, but those who like art films should appreciate it and enjoy discussing it afterwards.
