Dangerous Moves

Dangerous Moves ("The Fool's Diagonal", referring to the chess piece called the bishop in English but the fool in French) is a 1984 French-language directed by Richard Dembo and produced by Arthur Cohn. It stars Michel Piccoli, Alexandre Arbatt, as well as Liv Ullmann, Leslie Caron, and Bernhard Wicki in supporting roles. The film was a co-production between companies in France and Switzerland. It tells the story of two very different men competing in the final match of the World Chess Championship. One is a 52-year-old Soviet Jew who holds the title, and the other is a 35-year-old genius who defected to the West several years earlier.
Plot
The film follows the story of two chess grandmasters, Akiva Liebskind from the Soviet Union and Pavius Fromm from Hungary, who compete in a world championship match in Geneva, Switzerland. The game of chess serves as the backdrop to explore the complex personal and political issues that the two players face.
Akiva is a Jewish chess player from the Soviet Union who is haunted by his past experiences during the Holocaust. He is pitted against Pavius, a young and ambitious player from Hungary who is supported by his government.
As the match unfolds, the two players engage in a series of intense and strategic chess moves, but their personal issues and political pressures continue to impact their game. Akiva, for example, is struggling with his identity and is feeling increasingly isolated from the Soviet Union, while Pavius is dealing with the conflicting demands of his government and his own ambitions.
As the game progresses, the stakes become higher, and the players become more emotionally invested in the outcome. Ultimately, the game reaches a dramatic conclusion that has far-reaching consequences for both players.
Throughout the film, there are flashbacks that provide insight into the players' personal lives and the political contexts that they are operating in. The film explores themes such as identity, ambition, loyalty, and the role of politics in shaping personal lives.
Cast
Michel Piccoli as Akiva Liebskind
Alexandre Arbatt as Pavius Fromm
Liv Ullmann as Marina Fromm
Leslie Caron as Henia Liebskind
Wojciech Pszoniak as Felton, Fromm's team
Jean-Hugues Anglade as Miller, Fromm's team
Daniel Olbrychski as Tac-Tac, Liebskind's friend
Hubert Saint-Macary as Foldes
Michel Aumont as Kerossian, Liebskind's friend
Pierre Michaël as Yachvili
Serge Avedikian as Fadenko
Pierre Vial as Anton Heller
Bernhard Wicki as Puhl, arbiter
Jacques Boudet as Stuffli
Benoît Régent as Barabal
Production
The film was released in several countries around the world, including the United States. The film's success at the box office and critical acclaim helped to establish its place in cinematic history as a classic of the genre.
Dangerous Moves was released during the height of the Cold War, a period of political tension between the Soviet Union and the United States. The film's exploration of personal and political issues against the backdrop of a high-stakes chess match resonated with audiences around the world, and it helped to cement the film's place as a classic of the genre.
Reception
Critical response
Critics praised the film for its intelligent script, nuanced performances, and engaging storyline. On review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds an approval rating of 67% based on 6 reviews, with an average score of 7.3/10. The movie's exploration of personal and political issues against the backdrop of a high-stakes chess match was particularly lauded. The film's themes of identity, ambition, and loyalty were also widely praised.
Awards
Dangerous Moves won the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 1984; it was submitted by the Swiss government, and gave that nation its first Oscar win. It also won the Louis Delluc Prize, the Prix de l'Académie du Cinéma and the César Award for Best Debut.
Soundtrack
The CD soundtrack composed by Gabriel Yared is available on Music Box Records label (website).
See also
List of submissions to the 57th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film
List of Swiss submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film
References
External links
1984 films
French drama films
Swiss drama films
1980s French-language films
Films about chess
Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award winners
Chess in France
1984 in chess
Cold War films
Films scored by Gabriel Yared
Gaumont Film Company films
Louis Delluc Prize winners
Best First Feature Film César Award winners
1984 directorial debut films
French-language Swiss films
1980s French films