Beau Travail (1999)
(Claire Denis, France 1999, 92 min., DCP, French, Italian, and Russian w/English subtitles)
One of the most original, sensuous, and beautiful films of the 1990s, this loose version of Melville's novella transposes the sea-bound story to a group of French Foreign Legionnaires in the East African outpost of Djibouti. Here, director Claire Denis renders the almost wordless drama of sexual jealousy that arises between two soldiers and their commander with an exquisite subtlety. As it moves along, the film gains the power and rhythm of a wonderful tone poem, using an eclectic soundtrack featuring Britten's Billy Budd opera, Neil Young, and techno dance. The film reached #7 on Sight and Sound magazine's list of The Greatest Films of All Time.