The Salt of Tears

Matters of the heart, gorgeous black-and-white cinematography, and the casting of young and fresh actors ready to take on the world – these are all elements that characterize the rich oeuvre of veteran French director, Philippe Garrel, and they are all present in his new film, The Salt of Tears, which held its world premiere at the Berlin Film Festival. The plot follows a young man from the working class who arrives in Paris and experiences a series of infatuations, abandonments, doubts, and frustrations. Alongside its extraordinary cinematic finesse, the film is filled with social and existential messages that emerge from the minimalistic style of writing, direction, and acting.