It is a well-known fact that the ravages of war do not end on the battlefield and that, accordingly, the return home of war veterans does not come easily. Logically a recurring theme in American cinema ('The Best Years of Our Lives' 'The Deer Hunter', 'Coming Home', 'Rambo', and dozens of others), it is oddly enough much less present in French films. The works examining the pangs of ex-soldiers having to deal with their trauma among those - more or less unsympathetic - who stayed at the rear can indeed be counted on the fingers of one hand ('Retour à la vie', 'Les parapluies de Cherbourg', 'La vie et rien d'autre', 'La chambre des officiers', 'Frantz'). Yet this is the theme that Emmanuel Courcol (also known as an actor and the co-writer of four films by Philippe Lioret) has chosen to explore in 'Ceasefire', his first feature length movie and he must be credited for such a move insofar as it was far from the easy option (a contemporary love story, crime movie or comedy would, for instance, have been a less risky business). The story, set in 1923 (and two years later in the coda) concerns Georges Laffont, a man who, traumatized by the horrors of the First World War, finds it hard to reintegrate into a society among people who only think of forgetting and having fun. For a time, he finds refuge in Africa where he lives an adventurous life before circumstances drive him to return to his family home. There, he must struggle to take a fresh start while dealing with his afflicted mother (endlessly mourning Jean, one of her three sons, killed in action) and with his brother Marcel (whose reason has been faltering also as a result of his experiences in the war). Quite tense a situation indeed, only slightly alleviated by the relationship Georges develops with Hélène, a sensitive sign language teacher.As can be guessed, with such troubled characters placed in such a difficult situation, drama is guaranteed. And Emmanuel Courcol being a proved screenwriter, his thorough, psychologically detailed script is enhanced into the bargain by relevant sociological and historical notations. Of course a good script does not necessarily make a good film. Does it in the present case ? In this writer's eyes, the answer is definitely yes given the fact that the director Courcol not only illustrates the script of the writer Courcol but also does his best to translate its potentialities into visual realities. The way he recreates the atmosphere of the early 1920's, to begin with, is very convincing despite the limited budget at his disposal. The settings, costumes and props all have an authentic look, nothing to do with the cardboard or too glossy imitations which, in certain movies, block total immersion in the film. The direction is fine, particularly concerning working with actors, Romain Duris first and foremost. Far from the juvenile cheekiness he showed in Cedric Klapisch's trilogy, Duris once again displays his new capacities to step into the shoes of complex adult characters (he who recently was: a man who has everything but disappears, a husband who indulges in cross-dressing, a priest...) As Georges, an embittered man in turmoil, the actor has become a name French cinema cannot do without any more. On a par with him is the always superior Gregory Gadebois who meets the challenge of expressing himself silently (Marcel has become mute) whereas he is a member of the famous Comédie-Française company : his facial expressions and body language are really remarkable. Both actors are well supported by their two female partners, Céline Sallette, feminine but in a fresh unvarnished way, and Maryvonne Schiltz, who gives dignity to the "Mater Dolorosa" she embodies by never overacting.Some will blame 'Ceasefire' for the dead-time occasionally slowing down the action. It is true that such slow moments exist but after all, this is rather a meditative work than a frenzied action movie. And even supposing they are a shortcoming the other qualities of the film largely outweigh it. A competent director quite rightly privileging characters over showy artistry (sorry, no complicated camera angles or other displays of virtuosity) along with top of the range actors interpreting a thought-provoking story amid the modest but excellent recreation of the early 1920's period... well, there are worse things in life, aren't they?
After more than 10 months of twists and turns in the war in Ukraine, we got another one today. Russian President Vladimir Putin instructed his country's defense minister to order a temporary cease-fire in Ukraine over Orthodox Christmas. According to the Kremlin, the cease-fire will kick in for 36 hours starting at noon on January 6 - so tomorrow. Orthodox Christmas is traditionally celebrated by many believers on January 6 and 7. NPR's Charles Maynes is following along from Moscow. And, Charles, what's the story? How did this come about?
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CHARLES MAYNES, BYLINE: Yeah. Hi, Mary Louise. So this morning we had Patriarch Kirill, the head of the Russian Orthodox Church, calling for a truce out of respect for the Orthodox Christmas holiday. A statement released a few hours later by the Kremlin made clear President Putin had heard and was responding directly to Kirill's plea. Putin ordered, as you noted, his defense minister to implement this 36-hour cease-fire so people, Putin said, could attend Christmas services on the 6 and the 7. And Putin called on Ukraine's government to do the same.
MAYNES: You know, of course, Biden is referring to these massive airstrikes carried out by Russia on Ukrainian cities on December 25, when many Orthodox Christians also celebrate Christmas, as well as deadly strikes in Ukraine over the new year. As to Putin's needing oxygen, again, in Biden's words, you know, that may well refer to Russia needing a pause after its own recent setbacks now, including this Ukrainian rocket attack on a makeshift Russian military barrack in the town of Makiivka in eastern Ukraine on New Year's Day. You know, the damage there was significant, so much so that Russia's Defense Ministry made the rare acknowledgment that 89 of its soldiers had died, even as Ukraine argues those numbers could be much higher. Meanwhile, the U.S. had perhaps another indirect response to the Russian cease-fire offer. The White House announced it was providing Ukraine with Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles. Worth pointing out, however, that Ukraine has been publicly lobbying for Western-made tanks. They didn't get that.
KELLY: Charles, back to the cease-fire. I do get the skepticism in response to any promise that Vladimir Putin makes. However, it does seem like it's something to offer a pause in what has been horrendous fighting. Is there any reason to give Putin the benefit of the doubt and at least test whether this might be a chance to build on a goodwill gesture?
MAYNES: You know, I guess never say never, but it doesn't look like it, and I'll tell you why. You know, earlier today, Putin also spoke with the leader of Turkey, President Erdogan, in a phone call in which Erdogan pushed Putin to declare a unilateral cease-fire. It really is a trust-building measure towards eventual negotiations. But Putin's response, or the one shared anyway by the Kremlin readout of the call, made pretty clear he's had little change of heart. You know, Putin again demanded that Ukraine recognize Russia's new territories, by which he means these illegally annexed lands that Russia now claims but doesn't actually control before any, quote, "serious dialogue" with Kyiv could begin. Needless, Ukraine also has a position that hasn't changed much. Kyiv says peace begins the day Russian forces are out of Ukraine. So this Christmas cease-fire, even if it somehow happens, looks like a very brief respite in the fighting at best.
Amongst the hell of World War I, a temporary cease fire has been issued causing both the Germans and American troops to work together or starve. James Winston, a seasoned veteran, finds his fellow comrade injured on the outskirts of no mans land. In order to save his life, Winston must seek out help with the most unlikely individual, a stern German soldier named Hans Stucher.
Under the threat of international sanctions and following several rounds of negotiations supported by the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Kiir signed a peace agreement with Machar in August 2015. As the first step toward ending the civil war, Machar returned to Juba in April 2016 and was once again sworn in as vice president, after spending more than two years outside of the country. Soon after his return, violence broke out between government forces and opposition factions, once more displacing tens of thousands of people. Machar fled the country and was eventually detained in South Africa. In 2017 and 2018, a series of cease-fires were negotiated and subsequently violated between the two sides and other factions.
In January 2014, the first ceasefire agreement was reached. Fighting continued and would be followed by several more ceasefire agreements. Negotiations were mediated by "IGAD +" (which includes the eight regional nations called the Intergovernmental Authority on Development as well as the African Union, United Nations, China, the EU, USA, UK and Norway). A peace agreement known as the "Compromise Peace Agreement" was signed in August 2015.[56] Machar returned to Juba in 2016 and was appointed vice president.[57] Following a second breakout of fighting within Juba,[58] the SPLM-IO fled to the surrounding and previously peaceful Equatoria region. Kiir replaced Machar as First Vice President with Taban Deng Gai, splitting the opposition, and rebel in-fighting became a major part of the conflict.[59][60] A rivalry between the President and Paul Malong Awan, former army chief, also led to fighting.[61] In August 2018, another power sharing agreement came into effect.[62] On 22 February 2020, rivals Kiir and Machar struck a unity deal and formed a coalition government.[63] 2ff7e9595c
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