The noise of engines

Alexandre, a young instructor at the Canadian customs college, finds himself under surveillance by police investigators trying to get to the bottom of the sexually explicit drawings that have been troubling his hometown.

Canadian filmmaker Philippe Grégoire presents his first feature film, a film noir with a markedly surreal tone. Starring Robert Naylor (who shares a strong resemblance to Malcolm McDowell in his youth), The Noise of Engines had its world premiere at the San Sebastian Film Festival. In its second half, it addresses the intrinsic violence of the police force and the utopian concept of “personal freedom.” Between drag racing and police training camps, Grégoire follows the ethereal and troubling trail of other renowned Québécois filmmakers such as Denis Côté and Philippe Lessage. Without a doubt, a filmmaker to keep an eye on.

Credits

Original Title: Le bruit des moteurs
Year: 2021
Runtime: 79′
Country: Quebec (Canada)
Direction: Philippe Grégoire
Screenplay: Philippe Grégoire
Cast: Robert Naylor, Tanja Björk, Marie-Thérèse Fortin, Alexandrine Agostini, Naïla Rabel, Marc Beaupré, Maxime Genois
Cinematography: Shawn Pavlin
Genre: Drama
Subtitles: Jaume Pérez Massó
Contact: Flamingo Films

Wins & nominations

2021: SSIFF – San Sebastian Film Festival