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Review by Darren Carver-Balsiger ★★★½

Julie Keeps Quiet is a film of abuse that doesn't show it or give any detail about it. Instead Julie Keeps Quiet is a quiet film, of secrets unspoken and characters suffering in silence. The titular character seems to be under internal, personal pressure, unsure of what to do and stumbling through her life. Occasionally she cries out and succumbs to stress, but not for reasons understandable to an external viewer. This is very much a film that depicts inner struggle without giving us context. We become sympathisers without being forced by sentimentality or explicit imagery. We just witness the consequences, as life goes on. The film has a Dardenne social realist style, executed simply and effectively. Julie Keeps Quiet is the sort of European drama that may seem cliché and uninspired, but it's all done very well and is clearly a thoughtful work.

2024 Ranked

Review by shookone ★★★

classic Dardenne-esque full frontal protagonist social realism, and no wonder the brothers produced this one alongside Florian Zeller and Naomi Osaka. the clever and efficient use of the score lifts the otherwise clean cut, surpriseless metoo drama up a level.

Review by davidehrlich ★★★

After the star graduate of an elite Belgian tennis academy commits suicide, her shocking death triggers an investigation into the late teenager’s relationship with the (now suspended) older male coach who’d been so instrumental to her success. That investigation gradually but inevitably comes to focus on the coach’s latest protégé, who’s spent the last several years under his wing, and is on the cusp of qualifying for the Belgian Tennis Federation. People can’t help but suspect that she knows a thing or two about how coach Jeremy (Laurent Caron) treats his pupils when no one else is around to see. Her friends, her parents, the s at her school… everyone is eager for her to fill in the blanks, but…

Review by Raspou ★★★★

Rarement vu une approche aussi rigoureuse et sensible du silence et de la honte des victimes d’abus. Superbe, en sachant ref la tentation du « film choc » pour lui préférer la voie bien plus ardue de la douceur.

Review by sarahfilmfanati ★★★★

I watched this movie with only french subtitles so I might’ve missed a few things. A lot of the reviews are mocking how Julie really does stay quiet and that’s exactly why I’m sitting here with tears in my eyes. Abuse, assault whatever the case is often kept in silence especially as women, we’re taught to tolerate pain and we are realistically tougher (sorry) because it’s all we know to do. This hit close to home in a way because I too struggle to cry and speak in the moments when it’s most crucial, the truth being so painful you’d rather not speak it into existence. Love how the audience never finds out what the coach exactly did, very well done in my opinion. Sorry for the overshare but seeing people say they slept through it got me riled up❤️

Review by Johanna Ascanio ★★★★★ Liked

There’s so much spirituality in this film, but only a few can fully feel it. 

I understand why people might expect more to happen, but the essence of the story is always present — Julie’s seemingly unemotional and unresponsive behaviour shows how smart and aware she is regarding the consequences of speaking out the truth. However, the distress of remaining silent is equally evident in her mannerism throughout her daily life, and the film is ultimately a contemplation of this internal, numbing pressure.

The tactfulness and concern surrounding Julie accurately reflects how others tend to approach and deal with such delicate issues — there’s so much respect and care from everyone in this film. Everything felt so real, and I personally…

Review by Simon

Why is it that I find the most peaceful sleep at Cannes Film Festival screenings?

Review by capu ★★★★

les silences assourdissants 💔

Review by Mila ★★★★½

Said so much with so very little

Review by Lucinda ★★★½ Liked

When is telling your own #MeToo story about moving past trauma, and when is it about a performative display of solidarity – or about satisfying other people’s prurient curiosity, or protecting an organisation from legal liability? This restrained and patient film puts forth the argument that victims of abuse, even minors, have a right to deal with their experiences in their own way and in their own time – and that not letting anyone push you into disclosure can be a way of clawing back some power. 

I have a particular interest in films about women who respond to sexual violence in ways that don’t fit conventional narratives, and this is definitely on that continuum. I think it could stand…

Review by augustemars ★★★★

Very soft film about sexual abuse in sport, which is interesting and good in my opinion, precisely because of how soft and anti-spectacular it is, following the everyday life of a young girl as her coach is suspected of sexual abuse on another girl who killed herself. You guess that she has been a victim of something too, but she keeps quiet. And you follow her going to school, training, meeting friends... It's amazing that the film decided to make the spectator dive into the after. We cannot say we dive into Julie's mind because you never know what happened to her and why she keeps quiet, but you're like a neutral observator trying to understand that and empathizing with her. It's very slow and not a lot is happening, but I was totally emotionnally involved into this at some point, and stayed after the end of credits. A very good representation of this subject, very touching film.

4

Tensa en sus silencios, con una ejecución sobria que trata de forma realista una temática emocionalmente resonante. Las preguntas planteadas logran que su sencilla historia madure hacia ser un complejo estudio de personaje.