The Monopoly of Violence

“In this stimulating, sometimes shocking, and altogether powerful documentary about police violence in contemporary France, filmmaker and journalist David Dufresne examines the ways in which a government justifies brutal acts against its own citizens. Taking its title from sociologist and political economist Max Weber, who wrote that the state establishes a ‘monopoly on violence’ by claiming the legitimate use of force, Dufresne’s film mixes footage of attacks on protestors—largely of the gilet jaunes, or ‘yellow vest,’ political movement—and interviews with intellectuals, police officers, and victims of police assault. The Monopoly of Violence is an essential and timely work, showing the dangers of police serving the state rather than the people, and identifying the growing tendency among Western democracies to enact totalitarian methods to keep the populace under their control.” (New York Film Festival)

“In a world that seems to be leaning more to authoritarian power and rule, we need documentaries such as The Monopoly of Violence to become witnesses to the change and speak up before it is too late.” (Film Inquiry)

Albertine Cinémathèque is a program of Villa Albertine and FACE Foundation with the support of the CNC (Centre National du Cinéma et de l’Image Animée) and the Fonds Culturel Franco-Américain.

more info at this website: bigworldpictures.org/films/monopolyofviolence/index.html

Ithaca Premiere
In French with English subtitles