Code Unknown (2000)

In the pulsating heart of Paris, the paths of four disparate souls converge, igniting a domino effect that forever alters their lives. Jean, a rural youth, seeks solace from his stoic father's silence by running to his older brother, Georges, a war correspondent engrossed in the turmoil of Kosovo. In a fit of displaced anger, Jean discards a bag of half-eaten pastry into the lap of a homeless woman. This act of thoughtlessness doesn't go unnoticed. Amadou, a spirited Franco-African youth, reprimands Jean, drawing the attention of the ever-watchful police. The law enforcers swiftly arrest Amadou and deport the homeless woman - an event that leaves Georges' girlfriend, Anne, profoundly disturbed. This incident casts a shadow over her relationship with Georges, who returns from the war oblivious to the tempest brewing at home. "Code Unknown" intricately weaves these seemingly isolated lives into a complex tapestry of cause and effect, where one moment of indiscretion triggers a cascade of consequences. As the narrative progresses, the lives of Jean, Georges, Anne, Amadou, and the homeless woman unfurl, revealing their individual journeys leading up to and following this pivotal incident. An enigmatic chorus of deaf children bookends the film, pantomiming words, emotions, and scenarios, posing the question - what are they expressing? Through their silent performance, "Code Unknown" explores the complexities of communication and the profound impact of seemingly insignificant actions. This cinematic journey is a profound contemplation, inviting the viewer to decipher the code unknown, unraveling the true meaning of their interconnected lives.

Code Unknown is a drama movie featuring Juliette Binoche and directed by Michael Haneke.

Code Unknown is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.

It is also possible to buy Code Unknown on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, Vudu and YouTube.