Pigalle (1994)

User Rating:

5.2/10   

Director:

Karim Dridi

Writer:

Karim Dridi (writer)

Release Date:

1 February 1995 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

In the seedy neon-lit underworld of the Pigalle district of Paris, animalistic survival obscures all moral codes...

Plot Keywords:

Pigalle | Paris | Gay Interest | Paris France | Male Prostitute

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Véra Briole	...	Véra
Francis Renaud	...	Fifi
Raymond Gil	...	Fernande
Bobby Pacha	...	Pacha
Blanca Li	...	Divine
Philippe Ambrosini	...	Malfait
Younesse Boudache	...	Mustaf
Jean-Michel Fête	...	P'tit Fred
Christian Saunier	...	Cri-Cri
Christian Auger	...	René
Olindo Cavadini	...	Polo
Roger Desprez	...	Elegant Roger
Patrick Chauvel	...	Jésus le Gitan
Jean-Claude Grenier	...	The Emperor
Jean-Jacques Jauffret	...	Marc-Antoine

Runtime:

93 min

Country:

France | Switzerland

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono

Company:

Delfilm

Soundtrack:

Amuey Amuey

Excellent study of a dark subculture...

"Pigalle" is an ultra-stylish character study, dealing with the criminal element who inhabit the infamous Parisian sex and drug district. Filmed in appropriate garish neon colors, the film follows the lives of four young people, struggling to survive in their drug infested, violent world. The sexy Vera, dances nude in a peep show, while her handsome but unstable boyfriend Fifi, struggles with his ambiguous sexuality, and a fascination with transsexual heroin dealer, 'Divine.' Fifi is looked up to by an Arab boy named Mustaf, and the two spend much time hanging out in the crime ridden streets, scamming and ripping off tourists and 'johns.' The four make up a sort of family, and look out for each other as best they can, as the older, corrupt pimps and drug dealers try to use and exploit them in every way possible. "Pigalle" is a dazzling film experience, filled with life, color, eye popping costumes, pulsating music, crazy and fascinating characters, as well as a surprising amount of nudity, drug use, graphic violence, and all around sleaze. And the four leads are physically beautiful as well, in their own unique way, and somehow likable, despite the poor moral choices they sometimes make. "Pigalle" is a film in the tradition of "Pixote," "Christiane F." and "Mandragora," in it's study of young innocents trapped in an urban hell of drugs and prostitution. I was surprised by the low rating at IMDb, but with only 2 reviews, it is obvious that more people need to see this astonishing film.