Sade (2000)

A man prepares himself to be transferred to a detention center and rest home where he will relive one more time the highlights of his youth.

Director:

Benoît Jacquot

Writers:

Serge Bramly (novel), Jacques Fieschi,

Stars:

Daniel Auteuil, Marianne Denicourt, Jeanne Balibar

2 wins & 2 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Daniel Auteuil	...	Marquis de Sade
Marianne Denicourt	...	Sensible
Jeanne Balibar	...	Madame Santero
Grégoire Colin	...	Fournier
Isild Le Besco	...	Emilie de Lancris
Jean-Pierre Cassel	...	Le vicomte de Lancris
Philippe Duquesne	...	Coignard
Vincent Branchet	...	Chevalier de Coublier
Raymond Gérôme	...	Président de Maussane
Jalil Lespert	...	Augustin
Dominique Reymond	...	Madame de Lancris
Sylvie Testud	...	Renée de Sade
François Levantal	...	Latour
Frédérique Tirmont	...	Madame d'Amblet
Daniel Martin	...	Monsieur Santero

Storyline

Many noble families are locked in a chateau due to the French Revolution. The infamous Marquis de Sade is there and is generally shunned by the others. A teen-aged girl befriends him behind her parents back and learns about him and life in general. He initiates her into sexual exploration and leads her to become an independent, sexually-liberated woman.

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Plot Keywords:

detention | revolution | marquis de sade | french revolution | french | 

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Taglines:

He was a man ahead of his time. His ideas on love and sex shocked his generation

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Genres:

Biography | Crime | Drama | History

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Details

Country:

France

Language:

French

Release Date:

23 August 2000 (France)

Also Known As:

De Sade

Filming Locations:

Abbaye Saint-Martin, Sées, Orne, France

Box Office

Opening Weekend:

$16,781 (USA) (26 April 2002)

Gross:

$98,967 (USA) (15 November 2002)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alicéléo, Canal+, Cofimage 11

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min 106 min

Sound Mix:

DTS Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

2.35 : 1

User Reviews

Another Angle of Sade

'Sade' is based on the same thesis as 'Quills' (which was better) - in a period of revolution, leading from the decadent monarchy of Louis XVI through the bloody Revolution to the imperial demagogy of the Napoleon era, the legendary marquis de Sade was not a problematic libertine author, but rather an early symbol of freedom of speech. An 18th century Flint, if you want! Well, if you accept this angle, the two films can be judged as worth watching.

The French version is rather conventional, but well made and acted, in the style of the French historical cinema (the good one). You certainly can get confused, as you may not understand all the political nuances, which are certainly familiar to any French collegian, but you cannot be indifferent to the well played theme of expecting death, counting back the days and hours before the guilotine falls. Art ('Art'?) and Love ('Love'?) are victors over fear and death - this is the central message. Mass graves and fear are unfortunately still true in the 21th century as well. So is the permanent fight between freedom of expression and dictatorial puritanism.

The rithm of the film is rather slow, but acting is solid. 'Quills' was better, because it went even further with its central theme. However, 'Sade' is also worth watching. 7/10 on my personal scale.