Written & Directed By: Jacques Nolot
Cinematography: Germain Desmoulins
Editor: Sophie Reine
Cast: Vittoria Scognamiglio, Jacques Nolot, Sebastien Vala, Arden Bajraktaraj, Olivier Torres, Lionel Goldstein, Frederic Longbois, Fouad Zeraoui
A tale set in a decaying Parisian porn theatre, where within its dark confines, male patrons--soldiers, transvestites, married men--regularly engage in anonymous sex acts. In the ticket booth of the theatre, a wise Italian woman serves as benevolent gatekeeper, observing--but never judging--the proceedings occurring under her watchful eyes. One day, one of her regulars engages her in a conversation that leads to an unusual friendship, as these two worldly souls share their common experiences.
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The film takes place entirely in a porn theater hence the title focuses on the day-to-day actions mostly of this theater
This French language film is similar to SERBIS and even GOODBYE DRAGON INN.
It revolves around a movie theater, its workers, and its audience. We get to see the ins and outs of the theaters, literally as well as the various patrons, most of whom are recurring, who all have their own little side stories that we get into but don’t overtake the narrative.
The only difference about this film other than the other two is this one has a lot more homosexual sex involved throughout it simulated but it’s basically where men are watching a straight adult feature, but hooking up with one another as well as male prostitutes, cross-dressing, prostitutes, and one another.
Though the film does go for shock and intimacy throughout.
The film will show interactions and even some sexes, but then become very philosophical about the life experiences of the characters
As we get to know the audience and the regulars, as well as the staff, which is truly only the projection is the owner who works at the ticket booth
The interactions are really where the interest of the film comes in. It’s the meat of the story.
The film displays openness, and honesty though what will throw some off is the lack at times of sexual scruples and probably the action
Even though they’re watching a movie, where they seek to hide their kinks to only be kind and open to those who are strangers in the dark like them. We are the voyeurs during all of this and spying on them at their most vulnerable
The film at times can be perverse human touching and sad. It is not for the prudish or repressed and especially not for homophobic.
The film offers an interesting dynamic of how the owner hates and treats the homeless who she sees as junkies and lazy, but is nurturing to her audience
The film offers a glimpse of how the customers are treated by the outside world when the cops come in to check that nothing illicit is going on how they are treated and the comments they make to them and about them.
So that this theater is not only a hotspot but its kind of universe or considering it’s not that big maybe just its planet . As is this offers plenty of glimpses, but essentially seems more about representation and an ensemble cast.
A Testament to a location in the souls that inhabited that helped define it
Grade: B
