Festivals - FCAD 2024 : The Knife Leaves Audiences on Edge at Deauville American Film Festival

By Mulder, Deauville, Centre International de Deauville, 11 september 2024

At the 50th Deauville American Film Festival, The Knife, directed by Nnamdi Asomugha, took center stage, captivating festival-goers with its intense, high-stakes narrative. The film, running 82 minutes, dives deep into the life of a construction worker, Chris, who finds himself in the midst of a life-altering event when a mysterious woman invades his home late one night. What follows is a tense investigation that leaves the audience guessing until the very end, led by Inspector Carlsen, who must untangle the truth behind the chilling events.

The Knife boasts an impressive cast, with Asomugha himself in the lead role, supported by Academy Award-winning actress Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto, Amari Price, Aiden Price, and Lucinda Jenney. Their performances were universally praised by the festival audience, who were drawn into the complex emotional layers of each character as the plot unraveled. The film, produced by Asomugha, Jonathan T. Baker, and Ami Werge, and written by Asomugha alongside Mark Duplass, explores the lengths one man will go to protect his family, raising questions about morality, justice, and survival in a brutal world.

The narrative starts off with a seemingly straightforward incident—a break-in at Chris's home—but rapidly spirals into a psychological thriller, keeping the audience on edge. As the mysterious woman lies unconscious on the kitchen floor, a knife clutched in her hand, viewers are thrust into a whodunit scenario, with everyone wondering how and why the night's events unfolded as they did. Asomugha's direction expertly builds tension throughout, using tight shots and dim lighting, thanks to cinematographer Alejandro Mejía, to emphasize the claustrophobia and fear experienced by the characters.

The screening was followed by an engaging Q&A session with Asomugha and co-star Melissa Leo, offering the audience a deeper insight into the creative process behind the film. Asomugha discussed his decision to tackle such a dark, suspense-filled story, noting his interest in exploring the human psyche when confronted with life-or-death situations. Leo, known for her powerhouse performances, shared her thoughts on portraying complex women and how her role in The Knife allowed her to tap into new emotional depths. Both spoke candidly about the challenges of shooting such an intense film, particularly with a short runtime that leaves no room for wasted moments.

One of the standout elements of The Knife is its score, composed by Kyle Townsend, which plays a crucial role in heightening the tension. From eerie, minimalist pieces during moments of quiet dread to more bombastic tracks as the story reaches its climactic scenes, the music weaves seamlessly into the fabric of the film.

Another aspect lauded by critics at Deauville was the sharp editing by Dana Congdon, which allowed the story to unfold at a pace that kept viewers on the edge of their seats. There were no wasted scenes—each cut felt purposeful, adding to the narrative’s overall mystery. The tight editing also gave Asomugha the space to delve into the psychological impact of the break-in without losing the thriller aspect that kept the audience engaged throughout.

While The Knife has not yet secured a distributor or release date, the buzz generated at Deauville suggests that it won’t be long before it finds its way to a broader audience. The film's reception indicates that Asomugha’s transition from actor to director is one to watch, and with the backing of production company Iam21 Entertainment, the future for The Knife seems bright.

The film not only stands out as a thrilling piece of cinema but also prompts important conversations about trauma, truth, and the lengths people go to for survival. The film’s psychological depth, paired with its gritty realism, makes it one of the standout features at this year’s Deauville American Film Festival. Fans of intense, thought-provoking thrillers should definitely keep an eye on its eventual release.

You can discover our exclusive photos from the screening and the Q&A on our Flickr page

Synopsis:
Construction worker Chris is ready to do whatever it takes to provide a stable life for his family, but his plans are shattered when a mysterious woman bursts into their new home late at night. When the police arrive, the intruder lies unconscious on the kitchen floor with a knife in her hand, and it's up to the steadfast Inspector Carlsen to uncover the truth about what happened.

The Knife
Directed by Nnamdi Asomugha
Produced by Nnamdi Asomugha, Jonathan T. Baker & Ami Werge
Written by Mark Duplass & Nnamdi Asomugha
Starring Nnamdi Asomugha, Melissa Leo, Aja Naomi King, Manny Jacinto, Amari Price, Aiden Price, Lucinda Jenney
Music: Kyle Townsend
Director of photography: Alejandro Mejía
Editing: Dana Congdon
Production companies: Iam21 Entertainment
Distributed by : NC
Release date: NC
Running time: 82 minutes

Photos and video : Boris Colletier / Mulderville