The Son

The Son is a 2002 mystery film directed by Jean-Pierre and Luc Dardenne. Plot Olivier, a carpenter by trade who teaches at a trades training center, knowingly takes on Francis Thorion, the murderer of his son, as an apprentice. Francis is unaware of his connection with Olivier from five years ago. Olivier, tormented by the loss of his son and his separation from his wife, develops a slight obsession with Francis. He stalks him home, steals his keys, and explores his apartment, whilst slowly discovering more about the boy. Francis looks up to Olivier, seeing him as a surrogate role-model. With this on his mind, Olivier is ultimately torn between hatred for the murderer of his son and the moral ambiguity of accepting this child from a broken home and disillusioned past. Cast Olivier Gourmet as Olivier Morgan Marinne as Francis Thorion Isabella Soupart as Magali Nassim Hassaïni as Omar Kevin Leroy as Raoul Félicien Pitsaer as Steve Rémy Renaud as Philippo Annette Closset as Training center director Fabian Marnette as Rino Jimmy Deloof as Dany Anne Gerard as Dany's mother Interpretation Luc Dardenne wrote a comment about The Son in his book Au dos de nos images. Magali, the ex-wife of Olivier is very astonished that Olivier took Francis, the murderer of their son, into his workshop . She says to Olivier, "Nobody would do that." He answers, "I know." And she replies, "Then, why do you do it?" He answers, "I don't know." And Luc Dardenne wrote "We don't know either."