THE TRUK

Freshly released from jail, Ulysse is a young man full of optimism, until the harsh reality of his surroundings comes sharply into focus. It doesn’t take long for him to fall back on his old drug-related ways when it becomes clear he needs money to support both his clinically depressed mother Gabrielle and exgirlfriend Lena, who has been taking care of her in Ulysse’s absence. Resorting to selling ketamine from a food truck during music festivals together with his friend David, Ulysse goes for a desperate play meant to rise money quickly, and predicated on some help from a veterinarian who supplies the drug. Help that nobody else around him is willing to provide.  

A lean, powerful debut from French director Sarah Marx, L’ENKAS tells a story of doomed ordinary life in a vibrant, naturalistic style that cements the idea of life outside of prison being an uphill battle even (and especially) for someone who figured out how to survive behind bars. The up-and-coming exciting talent of Sandor Funtek is on display alongside the star quality of Sandrine Bonnaire, captivating in the role of the mother.