Through the chaos of it all, Double Feature takes on a Claire Denis double feature. As is often the case with Denis, here are two highly regarded films – “Both Sides of the Blade and Stars at Noon. This episode digs into the themes and experience with no previous Claire Denis homework required.
Both Sides of the Blade, a dramatic film about a soldier who returns home after serving in a war-torn country, explores the psychological toll of combat and the challenges of reintegration into civilian life. The film discusses trauma, guilt, and the difficulty of navigating relationships after experiencing intense and life-changing events.
Stars at Noon, a psychological thriller set in weird-future, follows a journalist who becomes embroiled in a conspiracy while investigating the disappearance of a scientist. As she uncovers the truth about the scientist’s research and its connection to a powerful and secretive organization, the journalist is forced to confront her own beliefs and values. The film explores themes of power, corruption, and the manipulation of truth.
Both “Both Sides of the Blade” and “Stars at Noon” have been praised for their thought-provoking themes and the ways in which they challenge audiences to consider deeper questions about the world around us.