The Club () is a 2015 Chilean drama film directed, co-produced and co-written by Pablo Larraín. It was screened in the main competition of the 65th Berlin International Film Festival where it won the Jury Grand Prix. It was selected as the Chilean entry for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 88th Academy Awards but it was not nominated.
Plot Four retired Catholic priests share a secluded house on the outskirts of a small Chilean beach town under the supervision of a vigilant female caretaker who used to be a nun. The four men are there to discreetly purge their alleged sins and crimes, including child abuse, baby-snatching for adoptions, and whistleblowing. They are not permitted to mingle with the townsfolk and are only allowed out during early morning and late night. Their only hobby is breeding a racing dog and entering competitions. Their routine changes when a new priest arrives, and a victim of his child abuse follows him, leading the priest to commit suicide. Subsequently, a new spiritual director arrives, disrupting their lives and routine.
Cast
Reception The film was well received, with The Guardian giving it five stars and said Pablo Larraín was "at his most masterful".Berlin 2015 - The Guardian review The Guardian, 10 February 2015 retrieved on 7 March 2015 Variety called it "an original and brilliantly acted chamber drama in which Larrain’s fiercely political voice comes through as loud and clear as ever".Berlin film 2015 - Variety review Scott Foundas, Chief Film Critic Variety retrieved on 7 March 2015
On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has an 88% score based on 89 reviews, with an average rating of 7.86/10. The site's consensus states: "The Club finds director Pablo Larraín continuing to pose difficult questions while exploring weighty themes -- and getting the most out of a talented cast." Metacritic reports a 73 out of 100 score based on 26 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".
Awards Year Award Category Recipient Result Ref.201565th Berlin International Film Festival Golden BearPablo Larraín Silver Bear Grand Jury Prize 73rd Golden Globe Awards Best Foreign Language Film The Club 2016 Apolo Awards Best Film The Club Best Director Pablo Larraín Best Original Screenplay Guillermo Calderón, Pablo Larraín and Daniel Villalobos Best Editing Sebastián Sepúlveda Best Sound Miguel Hormazábal, Roberto Zuñiga, Ivo Moraga, Salomé Román and Mauricio Molina Best Supporting Actor Roberto Farías Alfredo Castro Best Ensemble Cast Roberto Farías, Antonia Zegers, Alfredo Castro, Alejandro Goic, Alejandro Sieveking, Jaime Vadell and Marcelo Alonso
See also Cinema of Chile List of submissions to the 88th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film List of Chilean submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
External links