Dangerous Moves

Dangerous Moves

Company type	Motion picture
Industry	Film
Founded	1984
Founder	Richard Dembo (director), Arthur Cohn (producer)
Area served	France, Switzerland, international
Products	Film

Dangerous Moves (, "The Fool's Diagonal") is a 1984 French-language motion picture helmed by director Richard Dembo and produced by Arthur Cohn. Featuring performances by Michel Piccoli, Alexandre Arbatt, Liv Ullmann, Leslie Caron, and Bernhard Wicki, the film represents a collaborative production between France and Switzerland. The narrative focuses on the climactic World Chess Championship match contested by two grandmasters with starkly different backgrounds: a 52-year-old Soviet Jewish reigning champion and his 35-year-old challenger, a Hungarian who defected to the West.

Plot

Taking place in Geneva, the story revolves around the intense chess battle for the world title between Akiva Liebskind, a Soviet grandmaster, and Pavius Fromm, representing Hungary. The game of chess acts as a metaphorical framework for their intertwined personal and political conflicts.

Akiva, burdened by traumatic memories from the Holocaust and feeling alienated from Soviet authorities, confronts Pavius, an ambitious contender supported by his homeland’s regime. Their fierce competition serves as an exploration of themes such as identity, ambition, allegiance, and political pressure.

Throughout the championship, both players face psychological struggles and external influences that shape their gameplay. Interspersed flashbacks provide insight into their backgrounds and political circumstances, leading to a suspenseful finale with profound implications for each character.

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

Distributed internationally including in the United States, Dangerous Moves garnered both commercial success and critical praise, establishing itself as a notable work within its genre. Premiering amid Cold War tensions, the film capitalized on geopolitical rivalries between the Soviet Union and the West to enrich its narrative focused on a high-stakes chess duel. This historical backdrop amplified its worldwide impact and box office performance.

Critical response

The film received accolades from critics for its sharp screenplay, layered acting, and engaging plot. It currently holds a 67% approval rating on review aggregator Rotten Tomatoes, with an average score of 7.3/10. Its insightful treatment of themes like identity, ambition, loyalty, and political influence within the competitive sphere of chess contributed to its favorable reviews.

Awards

Dangerous Moves earned the 1984 Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, marking Switzerland’s inaugural Oscar victory following its official submission by Swiss authorities. Additionally, it was honored with the Louis Delluc Prize, the Prix de l'Académie du Cinéma, and the César Award for Best Debut, further enhancing its critical standing and commercial viability.

Soundtrack

The musical score, crafted by Gabriel Yared, is available for purchase through Music Box Records.