English summary

 “Sharp and funny”

“Amidst all the bickering serious questions are  asked”

The Party is a dark comedy, full of sharp dialogue. This new film by Sally Potter sparkles with brilliant roles played by a top cast. The film is both a wry and hilarious portrait of a group of friends who see their certainties disintegrate.

Janet has just been given an important position in British politics. It is the gateway to a post as party leader, after which she could eventually even become prime minister. This is the crowning achievement of her career and has to be celebrated. While she is preparing snacks, the guests arrive one by one. But suddenly the party takes a dramatic turn when Bill, Janet’s husband, makes a shocking announcement.

It turns out not to be his only secret and the other guests are dragged along in the accumulation of revelations and confrontations. Love, friendship and political ideals are all called into question. Every illusion that the friends had about each other and themselves goes up in smoke. But things really get out of hand when Tom, a ‘cocaine-snorting’ banker, appears on the scene. One shocking revelation follows another. Janet tries – with her suppressed anger and against her better judgement – to salvage the mood…

“A political statement about a broken England,” is how Sally Potter describes her dark tragicomedy. The Party is a British gem: intelligent, funny and biting.