Violet

Violet is a Dutch-Belgian coming-of-age film, released in 2014, directed by Belgium's brilliant filmmaker Bas Devos. The film features an astounding performance by Cesar De Sutter in the lead role, with strong performances from the supporting cast, including Koen De Sutter and Mira Helmer.

The film tells a compelling and deeply emotional story in Devos' distinctive visual style, utilizing an unusual but breathtaking blend of dramatic scenes and surveillance footage. The narrative follows a young, introverted BMX racer named Jesse, masterfully portrayed by Cesar De Sutter, who is trying to navigate his way through teenage life in his attempts to cope with an unimaginable tragedy. The film uses a powerful combination of beautifully structured long takes and minimal dialogue to explore the themes of loss, trauma, and the resilience of the human spirit.

The events revolve around Jesse’s life and take off after the shocking death of his friend Jonas (Brent Minne), who is brutally stabbed at a local shopping mall. The terrifying event, witnessed by Jesse alone, changes everything, triggering him into a deeply introspective journey. The rest of the film follows his attempt to process his trauma and his navigation through grief, while still going on with his daily, teenage life of bike rides, neon city lights, and music-filled afternoons.

Backdropped within the suburban landscapes of Brussels, the film captures the silent, desolate essence of the place that resonates with Jesse’s internal struggle. In a quiet and restrained manner, Devos sheds light on the silent turmoil of guilt, confusion, and frustration that Jesse experiences following his friend's death. Despite the depiction of a tragic event, Violet resists indulging in gratuitous violence or explicit emotional expression. It is a subtle exploration of the emotional states which often escape language.

Koen De Sutter, who portrays the character of Jesse's father, together with Mira Helmer, who plays the role of Marianne, Jesse’s mother, provide commendable support to the young protagonist on-screen. The script provides an authentic representation of concerns and disconnect between generations, a family trying its best to fill the void of each other’s unspoken feelings and trauma.

The various elements of the film, including the visual narrative, the soundtrack composed by Boris Debackere, and the performances, contribute to an evocative and haunting viewing experience. Lucid, atmospheric visuals dominate the viewing experience, with several shots appearing almost like paintings or subtle visual poems. Cinematographer Nicolas Karakatsanis creatively uses the security-camera perspective, peculiar framing choices, and vivid colors to create an immersive cinematic experience that takes viewers right into Jesse's starkly personal world.

Violet is as much an exploration of the human capacity for resilience as it is an exploration of grief. The film communicates the complex narratives of trauma and recovery through a strong emphasis on visual storytelling rather than relying on spoken dialogue. Its evocation of the teenage experience of loss is not only sensitive but also profound, exploring the universality of this life stage while also emphasizing its starkly individual nature.

Despite the overwhelming tragedy, the film creates a space for hope and healing. Jesse's resilience, his connection with his BMX racing friends, his silent companionship with his parents, and his interaction with the world around him, are all elements of his recovery and act as powerful assertions of life's continuation despite loss.

In a cinematic landscape that often leans towards dramatized narratives, Violet is a refreshingly restrained take on the teenage experience of trauma and recovery. Its emphasis on the visual narrative over dialogue, its sensitivity towards its characters, and its authentic portrayal of suburban teenage life, all contribute to making it a must-watch film for those seeking a unique and profound cinematic experience.