“THE AUCTION” ****
Life is often full of challenges and one must endure the obstacles in order to persevere the path. Sometimes, even sacrifices must be done, letting important things drift away. A man in his 60’s walks calmly through his farm, where he raises sheep. He looks around with a contemplative expression, an absolute satisfying experience of life, which he manages by himself. He’s been through personal crisis and had learnt how to overcome the difficult aspects of life: living in an isolated area, without any social activities, devoted to his herd, and dealing with loneliness, estranged daughters, separated wife, and his melancholy. Suddenly, his daily routines will be modified as he sees himself confronting a hard task that life will play on him, and that won’t be an easy one.
His eldest daughter arrives with her two children, bringing him some joy, and the opportunity to catch up with the family news. But her visit has a greater purpose that will change everything, on the land, on the people, the animals, and mostly on himself. She is sunk in debt and needs money to maintain the apartment, raising the children in a comfortable environment, which her ex-husband is trying to take away. He suggests that she could come live with him and would teach the children the farming process. She refuses, certain that life in the capital will be a better future for the little ones. As a loving and caring father, Gaby will do anything to see his daughters happy, although they don’t see each other often. When she arrives, he is given a hard challenge, of losing everything he accomplished, which means also, his form of settling for his middle-age, but has no doubts about his integrity as a father, instantly determined to sell the house and the farm in order to provide the money she needs. This aspect comes to the narrative shaping both sides, the benefits and the damages that could occur: it’s a chance to reconnect with his daughters, getting to watch the growing of his grandchildren, giving the past another chance when he looks for his separated wife, and learning that he’s much loved around his community; in other hand, insecurity knocks on his door, as he is growing older, future becomes even more complicated, and he must give up on things he cultivated during the 40 years he managed the farm, on his own. Completely emotional and heartbreaking, this Canadian drama directed by Sébastien Pilote, brings a terrific Gabriel Arcand as Gaby, who’s capable of communicating his pain and joy with a simple and deep look. It’s a delicate and precise portrait of a loving father, and his determination to accomplish himself through the sacrifices his willing to take in order to offer his daughters happiness. The beautiful cinematography, of grey sunny lights and the touching original music is also an attribute on this story about a family and the struggle of reconnection. (New Release on DVD by Film Movement)
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