EFF: The Blaze

This French eco-thriller delivers equal parts road movie, claustrophobic disaster film, and a humane portrait of a prickly but tender father-son relationship.

Simon lives with his ageing father Joseph in the south of France. When a massive wildfire devastates their forested local region, the two must leave everything behind to escape. Despite knowing all the local roads and secret detours, as the wind intensifies and the air fills with smoke the two seem to be running out of possible routes out.

André Dussollier (Everything Went Fine, Tell No One) and Alex Lutz (seen in 2022 Europa! Europa film Vortex) give compelling performances as father and son in this French eco-thriller that delivers equal parts road movie, claustrophobic disaster film, and humane portrait of a prickly but tender father-son relationship. Immersive, intense and gripping, The Blaze is set to become one of the hottest films of 2023. 

Watch: director Quentin Reynaud is in conversation with film critic and writer Keva York. 

Rating

E

Language

French (English Subtitles)

Cast

Alex Lutz, André Dussollier

Director

Quentin Reynaud