This Night (2009) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

As Santa Maria descends into political violence, Ossorio seeks a way to rescue the woman he loves, but escape and resolution remain uncertain.

Story Structure — 5 Plot Phases

A City Closing In

Political violence spreads through Santa Maria, and refugees look to the Bouver for escape. Ossorio arrives seeking two tickets but learns that obtaining passage will be difficult.

Key Events

• Political Violence Spreads — Political violence spreads as competing factions struggle for control of the city. Location: Santa Maria
• The Bouver Offers Hope — Refugees look to passage on the old warship as a possible escape. Location: The Bouver
• Ossorio Seeks Two Tickets — Ossorio arrives seeking two tickets and learns their provider is trapped uptown. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria
• A Dangerous Meeting Point — Ossorio is told to meet a contact where tickets and safe passage are hard to secure. Characters: Ossorio Location: First & Last

The Search Amid Crackdown

Ossorio searches for the woman he loves as authorities close her newspaper and political maneuvering grows. Irène is arrested, and Barcala's murder makes the danger unmistakable.

Key Events

• The Search for His Beloved — Ossorio searches for the woman he loves, who has disappeared amid the turmoil. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria
• The Newspaper Is Shut Down — Authorities close the newspaper as informers and political opportunists maneuver. Location: Santa Maria
• Irène Is Arrested — Irène is arrested as political violence intensifies. Characters: Irène Location: Santa Maria
• Barcala Is Found Dead — Barcala is killed, and his severed head is discovered near his home. Characters: Barcala Location: Near Barcala's home

A Ticket to Escape

A political figure gives Ossorio access to two tickets hidden in a coat. He takes them hoping to rescue the missing woman, even as the city's situation worsens.

Key Events

• Tickets Hidden in a Coat — A political figure offers Ossorio the tickets and reveals they are hidden in his coat. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria
• Ossorio Takes Two Tickets — Ossorio takes two tickets, hoping to find the woman and get her out of the city. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria

Loyalties Under Siege

Fraga's forces approach, and Martins considers joining Morasan while former allies face pressure to choose sides. A warning of possible bombing compounds the danger.

Key Events

• Fraga's Forces Approach — General Fraga's forces approach as the city faces increasing pressure. Location: Santa Maria
• Martins Weighs His Position — Martins considers joining Morasan as former allies are pressured to choose sides. Characters: Martins, Morasan Location: Santa Maria
• A Warning of Bombing — Ossorio is warned that the city may soon be bombed. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria

An Unfinished Flight

Granowsky tries to persuade Vignale to abandon the failing cause, while Vignale remains committed to his search. Doubts about the Bouver and an unresolved account of an attack leave the escape and Ossorio's search unsettled.

Key Events

• The Escape Route Falters — Granowsky urges Vignale to accept a government post, while Vignale refuses to abandon his search; the Bouver's reliability is questioned. Characters: Granowsky Location: Santa Maria
• The Unresolved Attack — A woman describes a scissors attack; those present dispute whether she should have been allowed to leave, and Ossorio's search remains unresolved. Characters: Ossorio Location: Santa Maria

Story Breakdown

• City in Crisis — Political violence and factional struggle undermine any sense of safety or authority.
  • Factional Struggle — Competing factions maneuver for control while nobody can guarantee the boat will leave.
  • Refugees Seek Passage — Families, children, women, and the sick look to the Bouver as a possible route out.
• Ossorio Seeks Tickets — Ossorio tries to secure two tickets while access to safe passage grows uncertain.
  • Provider Trapped Uptown — Ossorio learns that the person meant to provide the tickets is trapped uptown.
  • First Last Meeting — He is directed to meet a contact at the First & Last.
• Missing Beloved — Ossorio's effort to find the woman he loves continues amid the city's upheaval.
  • Search Through Turmoil — The woman has vanished, and Ossorio searches for her.
  • Newspaper Closed — Authorities shut down her newspaper as informers and political opportunists maneuver.
• Violence Takes Hold — Arrests and murder show the personal cost of the political crisis.
  • Irène Arrested — Irène is taken into custody during the turmoil.
  • Barcala Found Dead — Barcala is killed, and his severed head is discovered near his home.
• Tickets in the Coat — A political figure provides Ossorio with a possible means of escape.
  • Hidden Tickets Revealed — The political figure tells Ossorio that the tickets are hidden in his coat.
  • Two Tickets Taken — Ossorio takes two tickets, hoping to get the woman out of the city.
• Shifting Allegiances — The advancing threat forces political figures and former allies to reconsider their positions.
  • Fraga's Forces Approach — General Fraga's forces move toward the city.
  • Martins Weighs Morasan — Martins considers joining Morasan as allies face pressure to choose sides.
• Escape in Doubt — Warnings and political pressure deepen the uncertainty around survival and departure.
  • Bombing Warning — Ossorio is warned that the city may soon be bombed.
  • Bouver Questioned — Ossorio learns that the Bouver may not be a reliable escape.
• Unresolved Crisis — The available events end without resolving Ossorio's search or the city's immediate danger.
  • Scissors Attack Account — A woman describes being attacked with scissors.
  • Disputed Departure — Those around her dispute whether she should have been allowed to leave.

Directed by

Werner Schroeter

Key Cast

• Pascal Greggory — Ossorio
• Bruno Todeschini — Morasan
• Amira Casar — Irène
• Éric Caravaca — Villar
• Nathalie Delon — Risso