Un zoo la nuit (1987)

Marcel, recently released from prison, attempt to rebuild his relationship with his girlfriend Julie (now a prostitute) and especially his father Albert (who thinks he's been away on a long... See full summary »

Director:

Jean-Claude Lauzon

Writer:

Jean-Claude Lauzon

Stars:

Gilles Maheu, Roger Lebel, Corrado Mastropasqua

16 wins & 1 nomination.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Gilles Maheu	...	Marcel
Roger Lebel	...	Albert
Corrado Mastropasqua	...	Tony
Lorne Brass	...	George
Germain Houde	...	Charlie
Jerry Snell	...	American
Lynne Adams	...	Julie
Anna-Maria Giannotti	...	Angelica
Nereo Lorenzi	...	Pepe
Nicolas Clarizio	...	Worker
Vincent Ierfino	...	Worker
Amulette Garneau	...	Yvonne
Luc Proulx	...	Cook
Jean-Pierre Saulnier	...	Guard at entry
Jean Pierre Bergeron	...	Guard at cell

Storyline

Marcel, recently released from prison, attempt to rebuild his relationship with his girlfriend Julie (now a prostitute) and especially his father Albert (who thinks he's been away on a long trip abroad), while being pursued by two corrupt cops (one of whom bears a longstanding grudge against him) for drug money he's alleged to possess...

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Plot Keywords:

gay bar | controversy | gay sex | father son relationship | jail | 

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Genres:

Crime | Drama | Thriller

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Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

French

Release Date:

16 June 1989 (Portugal)

Also Known As:

Night Zoo

Filming Locations:

Montréal, Québec, Canada

Box Office

Gross:

CAD 1,300,000 (Canada)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Cinema Plus, La Societe Generale du Cinema du Quebec, Les Productions Duc

Technical Specs

Runtime:

115 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

"Voir un ami pleurer"
Written and Performed by Jacques Brel

User Reviews

A disturbing, truthful, realistic view at some scary human dysfunction.

In my opinions of course...

This film is to be appreciated by those with a bit of insight (or at least a desire to experience different things), an open mind, and sick of same old predictable script hollywood cr*p. If hollywood is your basis for comparison, Un Zoo la Nuit will either enrich your understanding of what movies should be, or show you that you should stick to with hollywood flicks. Not that hollywood doesn't put out good movies. It's just finding that one in a few hundred movies that winds up being a gem.

Un Zoo la Nuit is a depiction of deceit, drugs, and dysfunctional human relationships. The father/son relationship is classic, sad. Some scenes are extremely memorable (of course the prison rape scene isn't, but things like that do happen in that real world out there). This movie is not brain dead, it might make you think about your situation and of those around you... The son's emotions of love and compassion come through clearly with his father and you are forced to feel for that relationship. The relationship takes a surrealistic twist when it becomes clear no time is left to catch up. However, the son remains a crook and a murderer.

There are no good guys in this movie. Not the stuff of hollywood.

What hollywood did to the original versions of Nikita and The Vanishing, just as a couple of examples, should be enough to turn anyone off. When Pacino kills Deniro at the end of Heat, it's just plain wrong!!! :)

If you want something that is even more outside the box than Un Zoo la Nuit, check out the recent Maelstom with Croze. Keep an open mind with the fish... But again, a realistic and honest view at real humans.