Amidst all the little gems that played last year's Istanbul Film Festival, 'Disgrace' holds a special place. Maybe it's because the film is one of those rare beasts: an intelligent and well-written drama that is not afraid to explore each idea to its' darkest core. Or maybe it's because of John Malkovich's superb performance of a man who is completely lost in a time place, someone who let alone understand can barely exist within the place he's been put upon.
'Disgrace' is about South Africa, it's about a professor ; David Lurie (John Malkovich), twice-divorced and dissatisfied with his job as an English professor in post-apartheid South Africa who suddenly finds his life falling apart. When he seduces one of his students, Melanie (Antoinette Engel) and does nothing to protect himself from the consequences, he is dismissed from his teaching position, and goes to live with his lesbian daughter Lucy (Jessica Haines), who shares a farm in the Eastern Cape with trusted black worker Petrus (Eric Ebouaney). For a time, his daughter's influence and natural rhythms of the farm promise to harmonise his discordant life. But the balance of power in the country is shifting. In the aftermath of a vicious attack by three black youths, he is forced to come to terms with the changes in society - as well as his disgrace.
The brilliance of 'Disgrace' lies in its' refusal to elicit any sympathy for its' main character as well as never simplifying matters. John Malkovich's David is a complex creation: a man out of step and touch with time - a man either does not or refuses to understand the consequences of his actions.
At the beginning of the film he is a middle-aged man beset by lust. He does not stop to think or consider whether what he does will have any effect or not. He simply acts upon his impulses perhaps because the land he lives him allows to so.
As the film progresses, he becomes more and more lost in the currents of time. His actions have consequences which he cannot comprehend and whilst trying to escape the consequences he walks into even bigger dilemmas. The question of South Africa becomes his question personally. And his journey to answer that question becomes the key to the heart of the film.
'Disgrace' is handsomely lensed and captures Africa starkly but brilliant. It's a film designated to make the viewer uncomfortable - to make the audience questions and beliefs at every turn. It is one of those brilliant moments of filmaking that is bound to cause as much debate as acceptance.
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