LES TRADUCTEURS/ THE TRANSLATORS, France, 2019. Starring Lambert Wilson, Olga Kurylenko, Riccardo Scarmacio, Sidse Babette Knudson, Eduardo Noriega, Alex Lawther, Ana Maria Sturm, Frederic Chau, Maria Leite, Manolis Mavromatakis, Sarah Giraudeau, Patrick Bauchau. Directed by Regis Roinsard. 105 minutes. Rated M (Mature themes, violence, coarse language and sexual references)
The Translators is not exactly a title that would suggest a thriller, let alone a murder thriller and mystery. But, there we are.
We are introduced to the world of books and publishing by an opening sequence at a book fair, the publisher, Lambert Wilson, promising publication of the third of a trilogy, Dedalus, with 10 translations to be released simultaneously. The author is popular, but anonymous.
Then, as befits a murder mystery, we are introduced to 10 translators arriving from all over Europe to begin their translation work in Paris. There is a rather glamorous Russian, Olga Kurylenko, a rather smug and presumptions Italian, Riccardo Scarmaccio, a rather quiet and laid-back Spaniard, Eduardo Noriega, a wife and mother from Denmark, Sidse Babette Knudson, also Chinese living in Paris, a German, a rather brash young Portuguese woman, a cynical Greek. And, the representative from England, looks as if he is still at high school, Alex Lawther. They are all assembled at a mansion outside Paris, confined to something like a bunker for two months, to translate 10 pages a day. Accommodation is comfortable and they all seem to get on reasonably well.
But…
There is certainly something strange afoot. The first 10 pages are released on the Internet and the publisher, receives a ransom demand. How could the pages be released when everybody is confined to the bunker? What effect does it have on the translators?
Just as we think of Agatha Christie, and she is explicitly mentioned in the screenplay, the structure of the film begins to play tricks with the audience. The publisher is seen cross-examining one of the translators but we have no idea which one. Then we see the publisher in prison. How did he get there? Then flashbacks of the publisher’s visit to the old author living on the French coast (Patrick Bauchau). They discuss publishing rights – with the threat that the author might consider going to a rival company. And then… And then…
And, as we keep thinking Agatha Christie, there is an extraordinary flashback episode concerning the publisher, his travel on the Paris Metro, the manuscript of the novel in his briefcase, the briefcase being stolen, exchanged, copies made of the manuscript – and a mouse let loose in the train to cover any suspicion of what has happened!
The events do have quite some effect on the translators, sad and deadly for one of them who commits suicide.
The mastermind behind the extortion theme will probably not be one that most people would guess. And there is further ingenuity about the identity of the author of the novel as well as some vengeance for a malicious act on the part of the publisher.
Intriguing? The only response is: go and see The Translators.
Palace
Released 10 December
Peter Malone MSC is an associate Jesuit Media