TIFF 2020: The Monopoly of Violence
tiff 2020With political protests happening on a global level, one of the most haunting consequences of these conflicts has been the violence used by the government to try and contain and eliminate these often-peaceful acts of protest. Using the lens of recent protests in France, David Dufresne's The Monopoly of Violence looks to engage with this subject matter by starting a dialogue between various parties, exploring what actions are justified and hoping to find why these actions are happening in the first place.
Clearly, The Monopoly of Violence is a film that benefits, in a sick sense, from the events that have transpired between the film being made and being released. It is impossible to hear the conversation within The Monopoly of Violence and not translate it to the haunting ongoing acts of violence by the government within the Black Lives Matter protests where protestors have been killed by police alongside hundreds of unwarranted assaults. This is easily enough to pull the audience in, yet the film has another goal in mind. One the most respectable aspects is the mature dialogue that takes place. Even with the haunting events being discussed, the film doesn't provide any easy answers or conclusions. It gives all parties room to speak and debate, which allows nuance to be found. The discussion goes beyond the basic takes that can be found on platforms like Twitter.
The film also refuses to limit its conversation to make the narrative easier. It puts the spotlight not just on the government, but on the protestors themselves, critically analysing their acts of violence. From the similarities to the differences, the film gives a fair assessment of both parties which is not only respectable but legitimately adds to the conversation. In all of this, however, the film is careful to not downplay the consequences of violence. Often helped by allowing subjects, who clearly care about the conflicts, share their passionate and genuinely moving perspectives, the film acknowledges the emotional weight and depth of its subject without allowing it to dictate the conversation.
The film is wise to also carefully stay out of the political discussions that led to the violence in the first place. Not only does this help make the message more universal, but it also stops the film from spiraling into a different discussion entirely in contrast to the main focus. The Monopoly of Violence, at its core, is exploring the use of violence within protests; it is not about the protests themselves. It attempts to create as clean of a conversation as possible without erasing the strong emotions of the conflict as a leading factor for the violence. It is a tricky task that the film accomplishes masterfully.
The Monopoly of Violence might not be an easy watch, but it is undeniably needed. Well-crafted and fair, the film starts a dialogue that is rarely handled with such respect. It asks the audience to listen and value different perspectives which therefore will help the larger conversation become more relevant and impactful outside of the film itself.
