Watch Le secret de la chambre noire

Le Secret de la Chambre Noire is a haunting and visually stunning film from 2016 that tells the story of a young photographer named Stéphane, played by Tahar Rahim. Stéphane comes from a long line of prestigious photographers, and after the death of his father, he inherits his family's camera and darkroom. Set in the French countryside, Stéphane is approached by a woman named Jeanne (Constance Rousseau) who is looking for help in creating a photo album for her husband, who has recently passed away. Jeanne is deeply in mourning and has a mysterious aura that immediately intrigues Stéphane. Despite being hesitant at first, Stéphane agrees to work with her and finds himself becoming increasingly drawn to her.

As Stéphane works on Jeanne's project, he begins to uncover dark secrets about her past and her husband's life. While delving deeper into these secrets, Stéphane becomes increasingly obsessed with Jeanne and learns to develop a deep and profound connection to her as they explore the mystery of the husband's life.

Throughout the movie, the photography and the darkroom are presented as sacred spaces, ones that hold immense power and mystery. There is a sense of magic and wonder that surrounds these spaces, and both Stéphane and Jeanne become entranced by the process of creating photographs. In the darkroom, Stéphane becomes lost in time, as he develops his images, and the world around him fades away.

At the heart of the movie is a mystery that slowly unfolds as the story progresses. Stéphane discovers clues about Jeanne's past and her relationship with her husband, and he becomes increasingly involved in trying to uncover the truth. There is a sense of danger and foreboding throughout, as Stéphane gets closer to uncovering the truth about Jeanne's life.

The performances by the lead actors are exceptional, particularly Tahar Rahim as Stéphane. He injects a quiet intensity and introspection into his character, and his chemistry with Constance Rousseau, who plays Jeanne, is palpable. Together, they create a deeply emotive and nuanced relationship that is central to the movie.

The film's director, Kiyoshi Kurosawa, is a master of creating a sense of unease and building suspense. He creates long, slow shots that allow the audience to fully immerse themselves in the world of the film, and he uses light and shadow to create a sense of mystery and other-worldliness.

Visually, the movie is stunning. The French countryside is presented in lush, verdant hues, while the interior shots of the darkroom are atmospheric and almost otherworldly. The photography itself is also breathtaking, with each shot carefully crafted to convey a sense of wonder and majesty.

Overall, Le Secret de la Chambre Noire is a mesmerizing and haunting film that explores themes of love, loss, and the power of photography. It is a visually stunning movie, with exceptional performances and a story that is both intriguing and mysterious. Fans of French cinema and art-house films will find much to admire in this movie, which is both deeply moving and emotionally resonant.

Le secret de la chambre noire is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 11 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.7.