Memory is our vast, untidy, basement, filled with newspaper clippings, clippings of incidents, and fragments of events real or imagined. We never get down to fixing it because we can’t stand the stench of our actions, we can’t bear the mold that swallows up all that we dreamed and we fail to make light of it.
In “Black Butterflies” shown on Netflix, Adrian (Nicolas Duvocell) is a writer, who seems to have lost his inspiration and is on the verge of depression, undertakes to write a book in order to get out of creative impasse, based on the story an old man will confess to him. Albert (Nils Arestrup), the “employer” is a sick pensioner and decides to hire the writer to write his memoirs before leaving this vain world. But, the surprising love story that Albert shared with Solange during the 70s turns out to be the confession of a couple of serial killers. “Black Butterflies” is a story of encounters.
The events seem so unreal that Adrian will have a hard time believing them and begins to do his own investigation. Research on all these unsolved murders, however, also begins a police officer, who after years finally finds some important evidence and tries to unravel the tangle of unsolved murders, a tangle full of dark secrets, hidden plans and unexpected twists.
Albert suffers from kidney failure and wants to leave his story before he dies. He is not interested in writing the story of his life since his childhood, but, since he met the love of his life, Solange. He was bullied as a child. Like her. His lover’s mother was a sex worker and had fathered her daughter after spending a night with a German soldier during World War II. Albert emerges as a complex character, his gentle demeanor belying the dark secrets he harbors. His relationship with Solange, his childhood sweetheart turned accomplice, forms the core of the narrative. Portrayed with equal parts vulnerability and menace, Solange adds layers to the story of love and darkness.
The Black Butterflies (Les papillons noirs, in French) is a French mini-series of 6 episodes, each lasting 50-60 minutes. Essentially, this is a thriller with constant twists and turns.
The series interestingly weaves together elements of psychological suspense, romance and mystery, enthralling us with its continuous plot and subtle character development. Through Adrian’s perspective, viewers get a glimpse of the complex dynamics of Albert and Solange’s relationship, which oscillates between tender affection, malevolent obsession, and murderous need.
At the heart of the narrative is an exploration of the nature of evil and the human capacity for deception. As Albert and Solange’s disturbing pasts are revealed, the series forces us to confront unpleasant and dark truths about the duality of human nature and the depths to which individuals can sink in pursuit of their desires.
Additionally, “Black Butterflies” serves as a poignant meditation on the enduring power of love in the dark. Despite the heinous nature of their crimes, Albert and Solange’s bond remains a central motif throughout the series, challenging us to grapple with the complexities of forgiveness and redemption.
Through its complex narrative and fascinating characters, the series pushes us to reflect on the shadows that lie beneath the surface of everyday life. The visual aesthetic of “Black Butterflies” reflects its thematic complexity, with muted tones and stark contrasts that heighten the sense of unease. Flashbacks intertwine with the narrative of the present, blurring the boundaries of time and space. The narrative unfolds in a non-linear fashion, reflecting the fragmented nature of memory itself. Through its compelling narrative and diverse characters, the series offers a chilling exploration of love, violence and the fine line that separates them.
“Black Butterflies” is an exploration of human pandemonium, offering a chilling portrayal of love, betrayal and the inherent darkness that resides within all of our memories. Why what should one do with the memory that remembers everything? He looks like a man stumbling through a vast wasteland. Intelligent or useful memory knows how to forget, knows how to ignore the insignificant, the trivial, the useless and illuminates the great and great.
#Black #Butterflies #Flashbacks #Abyss