Year: 1999
Director: Claire Denis
Runtime: 90 minutes
Country: France
Language: French
Rating: NC16 (Some Nudity)

Awards

Special Mention: KNF Award
INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL ROTTERDAM 2001

Best Cinematography
CESAR AWARDS 2001

Best Cinematography
NATIONAL SOCIETY OF FILM CRITICS 2001

Synopsis

In the Gulf of Djibouti, Foreign Legion officer Galoup dedicates his life and cause to a group of young soldiers. Life passes by peacefully with the same routine: training, guarding, washing, ironing, wandering into town and dancing. Suddenly, the arrival of a beautiful young soldier named Sentain threatens this order. Beautifully photographed and edited like a choreography,

Beau Travail brings out the contrast and affinity between different dimensions: between the ever illuminating and harsh sunlight of the Djibouti desert, and the shady and mysterious neon light of the local dance floor; between songs of sacrifice and honor, and songs of lust and jealousy. A cinematographic exploration of the Body as a notion of foreignness.

This film is part of the programme Rerun: December 2025. For more screenings, please click here. 

Friends of AFA members, please read the membership guide on how to purchase your discounted tickets and redeem your complimentary tickets.

Oldham Theatre’s opening hours

For further assistance, please contact us at ticketing@asianfilmarchive.org 

Important Notice:

Do note that Oldham Theatre operates on a free seating arrangement. Doors will open 20 minutes before showtime so arrive early to choose a seat and avoid disrupting the screenings as AFA does not play ads and screenings will start promptly.

All patrons are encouraged to purchase your tickets online. If you choose to purchase tickets or merchandise at Oldham Theatre’s box office, cashless payment is preferred.

—

T&Cs
Concession tickets apply to Students (Local & Overseas), Full-time National Servicemen (NSF), Senior Citizens (55 years and above) only.

Please check film ratings before purchase of tickets. Please note that you may be asked to present your ID at the door (this applies to concession tickets as well). Only physical photographic identification is allowed, digital copies of identification are not allowed. AFA reserves the right to turn away any members of the public without physical photographic identification.

Upon confirmation of your order for Tickets, no exchange of Tickets will be made under any circumstances and Tickets are not transferable. No refund on Tickets will be made under any circumstances except due to cancellation of the event. The resale of Tickets at any price is prohibited.