A contemporary drama set in the world of European Union politics, this is the suspenseful story of Transport Minister Bertrand Saint Jean, who falls prey to the machinations of higher-ups in the wake of a terrible bus accident. In a series of interviews occurring after the incident, a colleague suggests rail privatization while Bertrand denies the possibility to outraged unions and workers. Whether he can hold to his promises, wedded as he is to the political life, is another question. As is the matter of how far his peers will go to have him bend to their will. With Olivier Gourmet in the lead and the formidable Michel Blanc offering stellar support, this is political drama at its best.

North American Premiere. L'exercice de l'état, France 2011, 115 min. Written by Pierre Schoeller. Photographed by Julien Hirsch. With Olivier Gourmet, Michel Blanc, Zabou Breitman, Laurent Stocker, Sylvain Deble. Doc & Film International.