Custody is a French-language drama film, directed by Xavier Legrand. The movie is a sequel to Legrand's short film "Just Before Losing Everything" and explores the subject of domestic violence.
The story follows Miriam Besson, who is in the middle of a divorce from Antoine Besson, her abusive husband. Miriam seeks exclusive custody of their son, Julien Besson, as she believes that Antoine is a violent person and the environment at his place is not safe for their son.
However, the judge in charge of the case doesn't agree with Miriam's point of view and grants Antoine joint custody. Julien, who is caught in the middle of his parent's bitter custody battle, struggles to navigate their toxic relationship and protect himself from the constant emotional and psychological abuse.
As the film progresses, the conflict between the parents escalates, leading to a climactic court hearing where Miriam has to fight for her son's safety and welfare. The movie portrays the harrowing reality of domestic violence and its impact on families, particularly children who are often the silent victims of such abuse.
Custody premiered at the Venice Film Festival in 2017, where it won the Silver Lion for Best Director. The film was also screened at several other festivals, including the Toronto International Film Festival and the Sundance Film Festival, before receiving a limited release in theaters.