THE WHITE KNIGHTS (Les Chevaliers Blancs)
PLATFORM D: Joachim Lafosse. France/Belgium. 112 min. Sep 12, 2:15 pm Elgin Sep 14, 12:15 pm, Sep 19, 6 pm TIFF Bell Lightbox 1. See listings. Rating: NNNN
Joachim Lafosse’s The White Knights dives into the muddled politics and back-dealing agendas behind charity in this dark, methodical and insightful look at foreign do-gooders whose supposed best intentions cause more damage.
Inspired by headlines involving a group once described as “humanitarian mercenaries,” the film follows a group who disguises themselves as an NGO in order to smuggle orphans out of Chad for new families waiting in France.
Vincent Lindon delivers a strong, ambiguous performance as the group’s leader, a well intentioned but egotistical force who makes it his business to cut a righteous path to adoption. Lafosse is clear-eyed with foggy subject matter, refusing to condemn characters frustrated by the bureaucracy behind foreign aid but also not letting them off the hook for their desperate and irresponsible measures.