Planet B

Planète B, directed by Aude Léa Rapin, is an ambitious attempt to explore the nuances of political control and resistance through the prism of speculative science fiction. Starring Adèle Exarchopoulos as Julia Bombarth, a dedicated revolutionary, and Souheila Yacoub as Nour, an Iraqi immigrant, the film is set in near-future France under an oppressive fascist regime. Aude Léa Rapin, who began her career documenting war-torn areas, brings her stark realism to this fictional world, blending naturalistic images with themes of resilience and sacrifice. While the premise promises a captivating tale, the execution falters at times, leaving the audience with a mixed viewing experience that oscillates between moments of powerful critique and instances of narrative drift.

The story begins with Julia, a tenacious resistance fighter captured during a failed mission and transferred to a simulated prison environment. There, she and her comrades-in-arms find themselves confined to a Mediterranean villa that is both beautiful and insidious. Aude Léa Rapin presents this virtual prison as a paradox: while the place is idyllic, the experience is a psychological torment designed to force the prisoners to provide information. This contrast forms a central visual and thematic dichotomy in the film, underlining the dystopian nature of this world. The virtual prison becomes a central motif, symbolizing the power of the state to manipulate and suppress dissent, not only physically but also mentally. Adèle Exarchopoulos conveys Julia's psychological unraveling with intensity, capturing the dread and vulnerability that accompany the forced confinement and invasive surveillance of her mind.

Nour, the character played by Souheila Yacoub, serves as a counterpoint to Julia's life of active rebellion. The story of Nour, an immigrant struggling to survive in an authoritarian system, mirrors Julia's more open resistance, making her journey deeply moving. As a cleaner in a government facility, Nour stumbles upon the technology that allows access to Planet B, bridging her precarious existence with Julia's more direct confrontation with power. Souheila Yacoub's nuanced portrayal of Nour's despair and moral conflict anchors the character in the harsh reality of marginalized individuals forced to navigate and sometimes exploit these systems to survive.

One of the film's strengths is its examination of modern surveillance and the potential future of incarceration. Rapin's speculative approach suggests that imprisonment need not be physical; with VR, a person's consciousness can be trapped, controlled and subjected to continuous surveillance, while the body remains guarded in a military facility. The film's implicit critique is clear: technological advances, meant to enhance the human experience, could just as easily be deployed to restrict freedom. However, while the thematic material is compelling, Planet B sometimes suffers from overly explicit dialogue and a lack of finesse in pacing, making some of its social critiques seem didactic rather than subtly integrated into the plot.

Aude Léa Rapin's visual direction brings a raw, gritty authenticity to the futuristic setting, perhaps inspired by her journalism training. The dystopian France she presents is oppressive, with skies filled with surveillance drones and militarized police enforcing the authority of the state. This aesthetic choice sets the film in a realistic future that seems plausible, intensifying the urgency of the characters' struggles. The contrast between the bleak realities of this dystopian world and the seductive yet sinister paradise of the virtual prison is striking. Yet, despite the richness of the visual elements, certain narrative choices lack refinement, particularly in the pace and development of the story. Although the film's length allows for a wide-ranging exploration of its universe, some scenes seem to drag on, slightly dampening the film's tension.

Planet B also shines in its depiction of female resilience and solidarity. Adèle Exarchopoulos and Souheila Yacoub both deliver fierce yet vulnerable performances, making them compelling protagonists in this politically charged sci-fi film. Julia's gradual mental collapse under the influence of her virtual confinement, juxtaposed with Nour's external struggles, highlights the different forms of resistance that women embody under patriarchal and authoritarian regimes. Rapin's choice to focus on female protagonists adds a refreshing perspective to the genre, and the film benefits from its predominantly female narrative.

In its ambition, Planet B sometimes goes too far, attempting to interweave the themes of political control, immigration and psychological warfare into a single film. This thematic density is both a strength and a weakness; while the film gives much food for thought, it sometimes loses sight of its narrative cohesion. Rapin's comment on VR as a tool for manipulation and control is a thought-provoking concept, but one that seems somewhat derivative, echoing ideas already explored in mainstream science fiction such as Ready Player One and Tad Williams' Otherland series. The film's big reveal about Planet B's artificiality is predictable, a twist that could have had more impact had it been introduced earlier or developed with more subtlety.

Planet B is a bold but uneven entry into the world of science-fiction cinema, buoyed by solid performances and visually fascinating sets, but sometimes weakened by its ambitious scope. Aude Léa Rapin demonstrates her ability to create an immersive dystopian world that reflects genuine socio-political anxieties. Although the film's narrative could benefit from tighter editing and greater cohesion, Planet B remains an intriguing exploration of resistance and control. Through the intertwined journeys of Julia and Nour, Aude Léa Rapin invites audiences to reflect on the cost of rebellion and the limits oppressive regimes can reach to silence dissent. Planet B may not entirely fulfill her aspirations, but it's a bold and remarkable attempt that will leave viewers contemplating its messages long after the credits roll.

Planet B
Written and directed by Aude Léa Rapin
Produced by Eve Robin
Starring Adèle Exarchopoulos, Souheila Yacoub , Eliane Umuhire , India Hair, Paul Beaurepaire, Jonathan Couzinié, Théo Cholbi, Léo Chalié, Amine Hamidou , Grace Seri, Marc Barbé, Souleymane Toure, Thierry Hancisse, Yassine Stein, Luana Duchemin
Music by Bertrand Bonello
Cinematography : Jeanne Lapoirie
Edited by Gabrielle Stemmer
Production companies : Les Films du Bal, France 3 Cinéma, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Cinéma, Wrong Men
Distributed by Le Pacte (France)
Release date : December 25, 2024 (France)
Running time : 118 minutes

Seen on September 28, 2024 (Fantastic Fest press screening)

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