The serious theme in movies where the victim of a terror attack tries to remember what happened after the trauma is the struggle to reconcile with the aftermath of such a traumatic event. These films often explore the psychological impact of experiencing a terror attack, including memory loss, survivor’s guilt, and PTSD.
In many of these movies, the protagonist’s journey to recover their memory is also a journey toward personal healing and understanding. They must confront their trauma head-on, often reliving painful memories, in order to piece together the events that led to their victimization.
Movies about victims of terror attacks trying to remember what happened after the trauma offer a powerful meditation on the nature of memory, trauma, and healing. They remind us of the resilience of the human spirit in the face of unimaginable tragedy and the importance of confronting our past in order to move forward.
“Revoir Paris,” a French film released on September 7, 2022, follows the story of a survivor of a terror attack at a restaurant who struggles to piece together the events of that traumatic night. The film delves into her journey to rediscover her memories of the incident while also exploring the experiences and perspectives of other survivors. Through its gripping narrative, “Revoir Paris” offers a poignant portrayal of the lasting impacts of trauma and the human spirit’s resilience in the face of adversity. Here’s a brief recap to give you a taste of what the film has to offer:
Spoilers Ahead
‘Revoir Paris’ Story
The opening scene of “Revoir Paris” introduces us to the protagonist, Mia (Virginie Efira), a Russian translator who also works part-time on the radio. She meets her partner, Vincent (Grégoire Colin), for dinner at a restaurant, but their conversation is interrupted when Vincent receives a call and leaves abruptly. Feeling upset, Mia leaves the restaurant on her bike. On her way home, a heavy rainstorm begins, and she seeks refuge at a restaurant called “L’etoile D’or.” Inside, she observes the other patrons enjoying their meals and begins jotting down her thoughts in her diary.
Mia sits at the restaurant, orders a glass of wine, and continues jotting down notes in her diary. A sudden leak from her fountain pen forces her to rush to the washroom to wash her ink-stained hands. Upon returning to her table, Mia prepares to leave, unaware of the impending danger. Suddenly, gunshots ring out, and chaos erupts as a terrorist opens fire, killing those around her. Mia dives under her table, hiding for her life, as the terrorist continues his deadly rampage. Thankfully, Mia manages to survive the attack, emerging from the harrowing experience shaken but alive.
A Fateful Night At The Restaurant That Changes Everything
Despite surviving the terrorist attack, Mia has no memory of the incident itself and can only recall events prior to it. She displays signs of stress, which her partner Vincent notices, likely stemming from the trauma of the attack. Seeking answers, Mia visits the restaurant, where she encounters other survivors and the families of those who perished in the attack. While there, she meets a young girl named Félicia (Nastya Golubeva Carax), who is grieving for her grandparents, who died in the attack. However, Mia’s attempt to piece together what happened is interrupted by a woman who accuses her of locking herself in the bathroom and refusing to let others in, a potentially selfish act that may have cost lives. Confused and distraught, Mia begins to question whether she is capable of such a terrible deed.
Mia comes across another survivor, Thomas (Benoît Magimel), who recognizes her from the incident. They begin spending time together, and Mia suddenly recollects that a guy with a tattoo on his hand held her hand during the attack, which gave her the courage to survive. She sets out to locate the man named Assane (Amadou Mbow), who now lives in Italy, to determine if he is still alive. Throughout the movie, the perspectives of other survivors and the family members of those who lost their lives in the attack are well-articulated, giving a realistic and heartfelt depiction of how a single night can change so many people’s lives.
‘Revoir Paris’ Ending
Mia’s life takes a drastic turn after the incident, leaving Vincent confused about her lack of enthusiasm for their time together and her reluctance to spend time with him. Mia’s new focus is communicating with Assane, and as her relationship with Vincent crumbles, she seeks comfort in the company of Thomas. The film highlights various individuals reaching out in response to the incident. Some express gratitude for the kindness of strangers who helped them survive, while others speak of finding moments of intimacy amidst the terror. However, they all share a common desire to know whether those who aided them that night are still alive, underscoring the significant impact of the incident.
Towards the end of the movie, Mia is shown spending time with Thomas and beginning to enjoy his company. During a conversation, Thomas reveals that he would have talked to Mia on the night of the restaurant attack if the tragic incident had not occurred. As they grow closer, they become intimate and share their scars from the attack, signifying their deep understanding of each other’s mental pain. Mia is surprised to learn that Assane is in Paris, working near the Eiffel Tower. She frantically searches for him and finally finds him, and to her amazement, Assane recognizes her from the incident. Mia expresses her gratitude to Assane by hugging him and holding his hand, telling him that he gave her the strength to survive by holding her hand on the night of the attack.