The Best Films You’ve Never Seen

Back by popular demand, 'The Best Films You've Never Seen' series returns to The Capitol in 2024!

The Best Films You’ve Never Seen is thrilled to present Claire Denis’s 1999 modern classic Beau Travail. Inspired by Herman Melville’s 1888 novella Billy Budd, but set against the backdrop of the Djibouti desert, this shimmering, poetic film explores the complexities of desire, masculinity, and isolation within the confines of a French Foreign Legion outpost. Beau Travail debuted in Sight and Sound’s 2022 Greatest Films of All Time list at number 7, but has long been revered by cinephiles and filmmakers; director Barry Jenkins cites it as a key influence on his 2016 Oscar winning film, Moonlight.  

This screening will open with an introduction from RMIT Cinema Studies academic Dr Djoymi Baker, who will discuss Beau Travail as key example of the ways Denis’ distinctive authorial style asks us to focus on landscapes and the body, and why this film resonates with audiences and critics alike. 

Click 'access hidden tickets' and enter the code RMIT2024 to reveal the free tickets, via the booking link.

This is a public screening open to all, but is discounted for RMIT Students! Come to the screening and enjoy this iconic film on the beautiful big screen at The Capitol, 113 Swanston St, Melbourne.

Event details

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Beau Travail - (1999)

Foreign Legion officer, Galoup, recalls his once glorious life, leading troops in the Gulf of Djibouti. His existence there was happy, strict and regimented, but the arrival of a promising young recruit, Sentain, plants the seeds of jealousy in Galoup's mind. He feels compelled to stop him from coming to the attention of the commandant who he admires, but who ignores him. 

Presented in partnership by RMIT Culture and RMIT Cinema Studies.

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RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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