The Black Beach

The Black Beach

2001 · 113 min · ★ 6.0 · Drama

An exhausted militant wants to take a break from the incessant frenzy surrounding him. His country’s dictatorship is on its last legs and chaos reigns. His wife Sylvie leaves their country for France. She writes about the new democracy struggling to be born back home. His daughter Joyce must hide out in the deserted childhood home in the solitude and infinity of the Black Beach. Several adversaries – the militia of a hazy regime in his native land and the Paris police – wage a strange game of chess in which he is the pawn. Threats abound and he’s haunted by his past, his fears, dead friends. He has three allies: his wife, his daughter, and an old girlfriend from his fighting days.

Directed by Michel Piccoli · Written by Ludivine Clerc

Your Rating

Where to Watch

Rent or Buy

Sooner

Cast

Make it a double feature

5h 51m together

The Black Beach

La Belle Noiseuse

Both from Michel Piccoli.

More from Michel PiccoliSee all →

Les Grandes FamillesLes Grandes Familles · 1989
Les Grandes Familles
★ 10.01989
SeriesDrama
A clear-cut and ruthless depiction of the French ruling class between the two World Wars. Whether it's the circles of literature, medicine, journalism, theater or politics, the trait is fierce and portraits without concession.
The Young Girls of RochefortThe Young Girls of Rochefort · 1967
The Young Girls of Rochefort
★ 7.71967
MovieRomanceComedy
In the seaside town of Rochefort, twin sisters Delphine and Solange dream of love and artistic fulfillment beyond their quiet lives. As sailors, artists, musicians, and chance visitors pass through town during a weekend fair, a web of near-misses and romantic longing brings ideal partners tantalizingly close—without their realizing it.
The Discreet Charm of the BourgeoisieThe Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie · 1972
The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie
★ 7.41972
MovieComedy
In Luis Buñuel’s deliciously satiric masterpiece, an upper-class sextet sits down to dinner but never eats, their attempts continually thwarted by a vaudevillian mixture of events both actual and imagined.
That Obscure Object of DesireThat Obscure Object of Desire · 1977
That Obscure Object of Desire
★ 7.41977
MovieComedyDrama
After dumping a bucket of water on a beautiful young woman from the window of a train car, wealthy Frenchman Mathieu, regales his fellow passengers with the story of the dysfunctional relationship between himself and the young woman in question, a fiery 19-year-old flamenco dancer named Conchita. What follows is a tale of cruelty, depravity and lies -- the very building blocks of love.
The Phantom of LibertyThe Phantom of Liberty · 1974
The Phantom of Liberty
★ 7.41974
MovieComedy
This Surrealist film, with a title referencing the Communist Manifesto, strings together short incidents based on the life of director Luis Buñuel. Presented as chance encounters, these loosely related, intersecting situations, all without a consistent protagonist, reach from the 19th century to the 1970s. Touching briefly on subjects such as execution, pedophilia, incest, and sex, the film features an array of characters, including a sick father and incompetent police officers.
Le DoulosLe Doulos · 1962
Le Doulos
★ 7.41962
MovieDramaThriller
Enigmatic gangster Silien may or may not be responsible for informing on Faugel, who was just released from prison and is already involved in what should be a simple heist. By the end of this brutal, twisting, and multilayered policier, who will be left to trust?
Belle de JourBelle de Jour · 1967
Belle de Jour
★ 7.31967
MovieDramaRomance
Beautiful young housewife Séverine Serizy cannot reconcile her masochistic fantasies with her everyday life alongside dutiful husband Pierre. When her lovestruck friend Henri mentions a secretive high-class brothel run by Madame Anais, Séverine begins to work there during the day under the name Belle de Jour. But when one of her clients grows possessive, she must try to go back to her normal life.
La Belle NoiseuseLa Belle Noiseuse · 1991
La Belle Noiseuse
★ 7.31991
MovieDrama
The former famous painter Frenhofer lives quietly with his wife on a countryside residence in the French Provence. When the young artist Nicolas visits him with his girlfriend Marianne, Frenhofer decides to start again the work on a painting he long ago stopped: La Belle Noiseuse. And he wants Marianne as model.
Is Paris Burning?Is Paris Burning? · 1966
Is Paris Burning?
★ 7.21966
MovieWarDrama
Near the end of World War II, General Dietrich von Choltitz receives orders to burn down Paris if it becomes clear the Allies are going to invade, or if he's unable to maintain control of the city. After much contemplation, Choltitz ignores orders, enraging the Germans and giving hope to various resistance factions that the city will be liberated. Choltitz, alongside Swedish diplomat Raoul Nordling, helps a leader organise his forces.
Cesar and RosalieCesar and Rosalie · 1972
Cesar and Rosalie
★ 7.21972
MovieRomanceDrama
A young woman becomes entangled with a successful businessman, but her ex tries to win her back, provoking intense jealousy that leads her to reconsider her choice. Ultimately, one man's actions force a resolution to her dilemma.
The Things of LifeThe Things of Life · 1970
The Things of Life
★ 7.11970
MovieDramaRomance
The mind of Pierre Bérard, a successful middle-aged architect, is torn between his unstable present with Hélène, his younger lover, and his happy memories of the past with Catherine, his ex-wife; but his true destiny awaits him at a crossroads on his way to Rennes…
The Milky WayThe Milky Way · 1969
The Milky Way
★ 7.11969
MovieComedyDrama
Two men, part tramp, part pilgrim, are on their way from France to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. On their way, they meet a vast assortment of characters—some truculent, some violent, and some bizarre; they experience many adventures—some mysterious, some erotic, some even supernatural.
La Grande BouffeLa Grande Bouffe · 1973
La Grande Bouffe
★ 7.11973
MovieDramaComedy
Four friends gather at a villa with the intention of eating themselves to death.
ContemptContempt · 1963
Contempt
★ 7.01963
MovieDramaRomance
Art film producer Jeremy Prokosch, unhappy with the work of his director, hires Fritz Lang (as himself) to direct an adaptation of The Odyssey, but when it seems that the legendary filmmaker is making a picture destined to bomb, he brings in a screenwriter to energise the script. The professional intersects with the personal when a rift develops between the writer and his wife.
Docteur TeyranDocteur Teyran · 1980
Docteur Teyran
★ 7.01980
Series
Holy MotorsHoly Motors · 2012
Holy Motors
★ 7.02012
MovieDramaFantasy
We follow 24 hours in the life of a being moving from life to life like a cold and solitary assassin moving from hit to hit. In each of these interwoven lives, the being possesses an entirely distinct identity: sometimes a man, sometimes a woman, sometimes youthful, sometimes old. By turns murderer, beggar, company chairman, monstrous creature, worker, family man.

More Like This

Couldn't load this row right now.

Rate this film

Your ratings make Midnight smarter