“Papillon” is a 2017 biographical drama film directed by Michael Noer, based on the memoirs of Henri Charrière, a French convict who was incarcerated in the infamous Devil’s Island penal colony.
Synopsis:
The film follows the story of Henri “Papillon” Charrière (Charlie Hunnam), a safecracker who is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in prison in French Guiana. In prison, Papillon befriends Louis Dega (Rami Malek), a wealthy counterfeiter who offers him protection in exchange for his help in escaping.
Together, Papillon and Dega plan a daring escape from the brutal penal colony, facing numerous challenges and dangers along the way. As they journey through the harsh jungles and treacherous waters of South America, they form a deep bond of friendship and loyalty.
Review:
“Papillon” is a well-made and engaging film that captures the brutality and desperation of life in a South American penal colony. The film’s direction and cinematography are impressive, with stunning visuals of the lush jungles and turquoise waters of French Guiana.
Charlie Hunnam delivers a strong performance as Papillon, conveying both the toughness and vulnerability of his character. Rami Malek is also excellent as Dega, providing a sense of humor and humanity to the film.
The film’s pacing is a bit slow at times, but the tension and suspense build steadily as Papillon and Dega’s escape plan takes shape. The film’s themes of friendship, survival, and perseverance are well-portrayed and make for a satisfying viewing experience.
Awards:
“Papillon” did not receive any major awards, but it was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2018 Capri Hollywood International Film Festival.
| Directed by | Michael Noer, |
|---|---|
| Screenplay by | Aaron Guzikowski |
| Based on | Papillon by Henri Charrière Banco by Henri Charrière Papillon by Dalton Trumbo Lorenzo Semple Jr. |
| Produced by | Joey McFarland David Koplan Ram Bergman Roger Corbi |
| Starring | Charlie Hunnam, Roland Møller, Rami Malek, Yorick van Wageningen, Eve Hewson, |
| Cinematography | Hagen Bogdanski |
| Edited by | John AxelradLee Haugen |
| Music by | David Buckley |
| Production companies |
Czech Anglo Productions Ram Bergman Productions Fish Corb Films Red Granite Pictures |
| Distributed by | Bleecker Street (United States) Blitz (Serbia and Montenegro) |
| Release date | September 9, 2017 (TIFF) August 24, 2018 (United States) |
| Running time | 133 minutes |
| Countries | MaltaMontenegroSerbiaUnited States |
| Languages | English French |
| Box office | $10 million |
