Athena is a Molotov cocktail, a movie thrown in anger that bursts into flames when it smashes against its target. And there are multiple targets in this intense French-language political drama: racism, inequality, police brutality.
Romain Gavras directs Athena with passion and impressive technical skills, the Netflix film is essentially one long, relentless action scene that starts with a mob ransacking a police station.
The opening attack is led by baby-faced Karim, played by Sami Slimane, whose little brother was killed by the cops. The dead boy has two other brothers: a police officer and a drug dealer.
Gavras’ camera follows these men through the chaos of a fortified apartment complex besieged by police in riot gear. It’s like an intimate tour of the end of the world. Endlessly tragic. The battle is stirring, but Gavras isn’t interested in rollercoaster thrills. He wants to break your heart, and he does.
One reason I love these reviews is that I don't have to put up with endless arthouse ramblings that relate this to that and that to this and this movie (that the review assumes I saw and didn't and made to feel STUPID as a result). Simple, clear direct. Thank you as always.