Arte invites viewers this evening to follow the first three episodes of its new event series entitled “De Grace”. The fiction tells the dark story of a family of dockers from Le Havre, prey to numerous torments…
What is it about ?
“Pierre Leprieur was born in Le Havre, with oil and salt in his blood. A man of all battles, through his political and union commitment he became a respected figure among dockers. But on the evening of his 60th birthday, while his loved ones are gathered for his birthday, everything collapses. His youngest son, Simon, is arrested at the wheel of a car that his brother Jean, a dealer, lent him for the evening. A kilo of cocaine was found in the chassis.“
The broadcast of season 1 of the series De Grace begins this Thursday, February 8 and will end Thursday, February 15 (three episodes offered per evening).
Who is it with?
In the credits of this fiction we find Olivier Gourmet (Pierre Leprieur), Pierre Lottin (Jean Leprieur), Margot Bancilhon (Emma Leprieur), Panayotis Pascot (Simon Leprieur), Astrid Whettnall (Laurence Leprieur), Philippe Rebbot (Christophe Leprieur), Gringe (Ishan Bayar), Eliane Umuhire (Joy Umuhire), Nailia Harzoune (Nawal Kharbouch), Alyzée Costes (Céline Leprieur) and Xavier Beauvois (Sébastien Prévost).
The creators of De Grace are Maxime Crupaux and Baptiste Fillon. They are writing this series divided into six episodes with Malysone Bovorasmy and Sylvie Chanteux. The production is entrusted to Vincent Maël Cardona. He won the César for best first film in 2022 thanks to his feature film Les Magnétiques.
It’s worth checking out ?
De Grace recounts a tragic family fresco taking place in Le Havre. The town in the Seine-Maritime department is also presented to viewers almost as a full member of the Leprieur. Its port and its activities are at the heart of the story since Pierre, the patriarch, is an important dockworker…
Through the conflicting relationships of the latter and his own, the series addresses the themes of redemption and forgiveness, but also of emancipation. This gloomy story plunges us into the little-known and closed world of dockworkers where some are sometimes tempted to enter illegality in exchange for large sums of money, with the aim here of obtaining a better life.
Alas, the clan does not take long to see its weak balance upset by the sudden disappearance of one of them… Already disunited and consumed by resentment, the reproaches between our disillusioned characters flare up mercilessly! Panayotis Pascot, who offers his first dramatic score here, appears on screen at ease and convincing in this register. His partners are also very good.
The images by Vincent Maël Cardona are beautiful although sometimes too dark and the work on the music is interesting. Thus, Le Havre is sublimated in De Grace and a whole mystical dimension emanates from this place of exchange of goods where anything can happen… and even the worst.
This dark story is punctuated by the interventions of the deceased protagonist which, because of their repetition, seem sluggish. Finally, the seriousness with which the serious problems of the Leprieurs are described is sometimes heavy. A few lengths are also felt and a hint of boredom can then unfortunately manifest itself…
De Grace nonetheless remains an intense and careful work thanks to its production, its soundtrack and the acting. A few breaths on this tormented seaside would undoubtedly have reinvigorated everything. To be discovered this Thursday, February 8 on Arte, from 8:55 p.m.