Des jours meilleurs takes women in rehab on the drive of their lives, at Alliance Française on July 23
Copresented with Visions Ouest, new comedy mixes unvarnished look at alcoholism with desert adventure
Des jours meilleurs.
Visions Ouest Productions and Alliance Française present Des jours meilleurs, at Alliance Française, 6161 Cambie, on July 23 at 7 pm
WOMEN’S CAMARADERIE DRIVES the comedy in Des jours meilleurs (Better Times)—a new French-Belgian film that starts in rehab for a group of alcoholics, then swerves into far-flung, unexpected places.
The story follows Suzanne (Valérie Bonneton), a mother who’s hit rock bottom, losing custody of her three children after the death of her husband. In rehab, she meets fallen actress Diane (Michèle Larocque), partier Alice (Sabrina Ouazani), and 11th-time-sober-and-counting Chantal (Sophie Leboutte).
Their counsellor, Denis (a charismatic Clovis Cornillac), challenges them with a proposition: participate in the epic Dunes Rally that takes place in the Moroccan desert. Cue boot camp–like training as the women not only struggle to get their shit together but also learn to camp out and fix engines.
Without ever moralizing, the film gives a bracing look at the little-discussed issue of alcoholism among women—including some pretty frank depictions of detox. But alongside that is an offbeat mix of raucous comedy, moving acts of human solidarity, and wild road movie, building to surreal sand-dune landscapes and breathless race action. You've never seen anything quite like it—and it's a fun ride. 
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