By Chlotrudis Independent Film Society
Rating: 4 cats
Director: Lionel Baier
Starring: Alicja Bachleda-Curus | Lionel Baier | Natacha Koutchoumov
Original language title: Comme des voleurs
Country: switzerland
Year: 2007
Running time: 112
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0907843/
Bruce says: “Just before Christmas, Lionel (Lionel Baier) discovers that his family tree has some Polish branches. Most people would find such information mildly interesting but Lionel is a man of extremes. Although he is openly gay, he dumps his boyfriend Serge (Stéphane Rentznik) to have an affair with a Polish au pair (Alicja Bachleda-Curus). Lionel is exploring his roots.
“Lionel is closest to his sister Lucie (Natacha Koutchoumov) an activist lawyer who lives with her boyfriend and has the job of her dreams. Their parents wish the children would spend more time coming back home. They are tolerant of Lionel’s lifestyle and like his partner. Lucie gets concerned about Lionel’s obsessing over being Polish and decides a trip to Poland is the cure he needs.
“They jump in the car and go without saying goodbye or telling anyone their plans. It turns out that Lucie has problems of her own and this may be a way to sort them out. When they stop for some help with servicing the car, a young man named Stan (Michal Rudnicki) gives them some Polish hospitality and Lionel some extra Polish comfort. On to Warsaw and the Department of Records to find a trace of the family in the Polish archives. Coincidence rules. One of the other researchers in the library is also named Baier. Lucie and Lionel meet Victor Baier and his wife Madeline and some questions are answered, but not the questions one might imagine. Victor tells Lionel ‘You’re more Polish than I. You chose
it.’
“Director of GARÇON STUPIDE, director Lionel Baier is on the right track to become a major player in European film. He has a wry view of the human condition that is simultaneously funny and insightful. With STEALTH it is certain that he is a director who happens to be gay rather than a gay director.
“As in GARÇON STUPIDE, Lionel plays a character named Lionel; he is an engaging actor and he directs himself well. Natacha Koutchoumov was also in GARÇON STUPIDE; she brings a unique sensitivity to her role of Lucie. 4 cats
“STEALTH screened at the 2007 New Directors/New Films festival co-sponsored by the Film Society of Lincoln Center and MOMA.”