If you don't at least squirm in your seat
while watching the French film Baise-moi (which literally means
"Fuck Me" or, more exactly, "Rape Me"), then you are as dead inside as the
protagonists. The movie comes with a disclaimer, which reads: "This film
contains prolonged sex scenes of an explicit nature and scenes of graphic
violence, which some viewers may find shocking and disturbing." Indeed,
this film is extremely explicit and has been banned in France as well as
Canada. There are people who do not want you to watch it.
Which is exactly why you should. Of course, if you're
squeamish when it comes to hardcore sex and random violence, then you
might want to stay at home. It is based on the novel of the same name,
written by Virginie Despentes who co-directs the movie along with
multi-faceted porn actress and director Coralie Trinh Thi, about two women
living squalid existences who, after being victimized one too many times,
take their and others' lives into their own hands. How do they do it? They
take a road trip, screwing and killing their way across France. Although
this is a first time directorial feat for Despentes, who worked herself as
a prostitute, it succeeds in capturing the essence of the experiences of
the characters in her novel. The film is shot with digital video, creating
crisp, clean images that add to the rawness of the story. In addition, the
powerful, energizing soundtrack composed by Varou Jan plays an essential
role. Despentes writes, "In Baise-moi, the music is meant to echo the
torrential feelings and emotions of both Manu and Nadine."
This is
the tale of what can happen when women get really, really, really pissed
off. Baise-Moi features two well-known French porn actresses, Karen Bach
as Nadine and Raffaela Anderson as Manu. From their gritty, powerful
performances, you realize that some porn stars can actually act beyond the
moaning, groaning and inane dialogue that their day-jobs dictate. However,
their professional experience comes in handy here; there is a lot of sex
in this movie, very explicit sex in which nothing is hidden from the
camera. If that is what you want, you’ll find it here--but it may not be
what you had expected. The slapping of flesh in this movie isn't very
erotic or even pleasantly stimulating. In fact, it'll make you want to
close your legs and keep them shut.
One of the reasons
Baise-moi has been banned is
that it ruthlessly explores the relationship between sex, violence and
power. As Manu states, "The more you fuck, the less you think, the better
you sleep." And these girls are sleeping like babies. There is a
particularly controversial gang rape scene, in which Manu and a friend are
attacked by thugs, that you need to be prepared to witness; you are taken
right into that room with them screaming and you feel the fierceness when
she spits, "I leave nothing precious in my cunt for those guys." The
directors make no apologies for telling a story in which two women take
control over their lives and claim power for themselves. The men around
them and the society in which Nadine and Manu meek out an existence are
ruthless and abusive and they react to their environment in the most
extreme way. There are no explanations or childhood trauma sob stories to
back up these women's actions. The filmmakers won't give you an easy way
out by offering a rationalization for why these women are doing what they
are doing. Thus, you are left shocked and slightly traumatized, but
somehow more aware because of it.
From Sfstation
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