Paul (2025 film)
| Paul | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | Denis Côté |
| Produced by | Karine Bélanger Hany Ouichou |
| Distributed by | Mongrel Media |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes |
| Country | Canada |
| Language | French |
Paul is a 2025 Canadian documentary film, directed by Denis Côté.[1] The film centres on Paul, a man struggling with severe social anxiety who socializes mainly online and supports himself with a job as a home and work cleaner for dominatrixes.[2]
The film premiered in February 2025 at the 75th Berlin International Film Festival.[3]
Critical response
Allan Hunter of Screen Daily wrote that the film "does meander a little at times and risks becoming repetitive as Paul is once again tied up or restrained. Mostly, however, it remains engaging and offers a persuasive testimony to the sense of empowerment that can come from the unlikeliest of places."[4]
The film won the Special Jury Prize from the Best Canadian Feature Documentary jury at the 2025 Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival.[5]
References
- ^ Jamie Casemore, "Denis Côté doc among Canadian films to screen at Berlinale". Playback, December 17, 2024.
- ^ Martin Kudlac, "Locarno 2024 Interview: Denis Côté on Defying Filmmaking Norms, Upcoming Simp Movie, Embracing Artistic Freedom, Navigating Life After a Kidney Transplant". Screen Anarchy, August 23, 2024.
- ^ Marc Cassivi, "Denis Côté et Kid Koala à la Berlinale". La Presse, December 17, 2024.
- ^ Allan Hunter, "‘Paul’ review: Denis Côté doc explores the surprising benefits of submissive cleaning". Screen Daily, February 19, 2025.
- ^ Matthew Carey, "Hot Docs Announces Prizes: Awards Go To ‘I, Poppy,’ ‘River Of Grass,’ ‘Paul,’ ‘Khartoum’ And More". Deadline Hollywood, May 2, 2025.