Opening Day: 16 Feb 2006

Synopsis:

Georges, who hosts a TV literary review, receives packages containing videos of himself with his family - shot secretly from the street - and alarming drawings whose meaning is obscure. He has no idea who may be sending them. Gradually, the footage on the tapes becomes more personal, suggesting that the sender has known Georges for some time. Georges feels a sense of menace hanging over him and his family but, as no direct threat has been made, the police refuse to help...

Movie Review:

Georges who host a TV literary review, receives packages and anonymous phone calls from someone who is filming his daily live through a video camera and sending it to him. The videotapes are also sent to him in disturbing little packages with drawings of blood spurting out from a boy and a chicken with its neck cut off. Georges filed a police report however the police refuse to help as no real harm done to Georges and his family.

The opening of the movie spool up typesetting effects of words filling up the screen with names and credits covering the scene of the movie, after which the movie starts with Georges played by Daniel Auteuil and Anne Laurent by Juliette Binoche, discussing about the contents video tape which was send to them, from the view of it, it also seems like the video was filmed just across the next street. Both of them were looking fairly closely to the screen scrutinizing the videotape for any suspicious character that might be videotaping them.

Ten minutes into the movie, after Georges finishes one of his TV literary review, his wife Anne gave him a called with much anxiety that a second videotape have been send to them. What frightens and terrorist Georges more was the children drawing containing the videotape, the drawing reflects a boy spurting blood from his mouth. Without any hesitation Georges and Anne proceed to file a police report pertaining to the videotape which he have received.

Further into the movie, Georges was more disturbed as he was being filmed with him driving his car back to his old house. He was seen walking through a corridor, step into Majid little home, confronting and threatening him about those tapes which he have receives. Majid was supposed to be adopted by his parents many years back, however due to certain circumstances it did not happen and Majid was deprived of a proper education.

Little did Georges realize that the confrontation would do him more harm than good since the whole scene was filmed and send to his superior? It was certain that the person who is carrying out these pranks is out to wreck and destroy his raising career as a TV Literary Host. Should the tape fall into the wrong hands that would definitely be the end of Georges career.

As Georges and Anne were constantly fighting, worrying about the culprit who is videotaping them little did they realized that their son Perriot was not home. Georges as usual was paranoid and certain that their son was kidnapped by Majid went to filed a second police report with hopes that the videotape and the kidnapped was done by the same person linking it together as one case, he was furiously disappointed as the police only intended to handle the kidnapped case as a separate issue. Majid and his son were brought in for questioning as suspects.

It was until the next morning, his son Perriot returned home. Relieve that Perriot was home safe both he and Anne went upon their daily life. Until one fine day, Majid gave Georges a call wanting him to come over to his home to explain the videotapes to Georges. It came as a shock to Georges that Majid just wanted him to witness his suicide, before slitting his throat he told Georges “ I want you to be present” after which he slits through his own neck and died in front of Georges. Sending Georges down a spiral of confusion.

Hidden is quite a confusing movie, with scenes flashing past constantly and the changing of scenes from one another, without further clarification on the previous scene. There were also constant backs flashing of Georges past, which further confuse the movie. The filmed began with a punch yet it ended without one. It left the audiences no clue who was the one who filmed the videotaped neither did it clarify about Georges childhood days as to why Majid was not adopted. For those who came with high expectation to watch HIDDEN will be fairly disappointed. This was supposed to be one of those better movies since it won the Best Director award from the Cannes Film Festival 2005. However, efforts by Daniel and Juliette were worth praises as both of them as leads in this movie put up a splendid performances with great character and emotional acting.

Movie Rating:

(Undeniably a thought provoking movie, yet it failed to bring the best out of it)

Review by Angela Tay