Le pornographe (2001)

Director:

Bertrand Bonello

Writer:

Bertrand Bonello (scenario)

Release Date:

14 September 2001 (Italy)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Jacques Laurent made pornographic films in the 1970's and '80's, but had put that aside for 20 years...

Plot Keywords:

French Shock Cinema | Doggystyle Sex | Pornography | Penetration | Explicit Sex

Awards:

1 win & 1 nomination

Cast

Jean-Pierre Léaud	...	Jacques Laurent
Jérémie Renier	...	Joseph
Dominique Blanc	...	Jeanne
Catherine Mouchet	...	Olivia Rochet
Thibault de Montalembert	...	Richard
André Marcon	...	Louis
Alice Houri	...	Monika
Ovidie	...	Jenny
Laurent Lucas	...	Carles
Ségolène Savoff
Titof	...	Franck
Marcelo Teles
Violetta Sanchez
Nadia Nataf
Thomas Blanchard

Also Known As:

The Pornographer (International: English title)

Runtime:

108 min

Country:

France | Canada

Language:

French

Color:

Color

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Certification:

Australia:MA (TV rating) (cut) | Australia:R | France:-16 | Germany:16 | Switzerland:18 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:18 (canton of Vaud) | UK:R18 | UK:18 (cut) | Ireland:(Banned) (cut UK version)

Company:

Haut et Court

Movie Connections:

Features A Comédia de Deus (1995)

Soundtrack:

Tristan und Isolde

Go porn!

This film marks the first time I saw a penetration scene on a basic cable channel. It's significant, if not technically or artistically amazing.

It was in medium shot, and at first I thought it was more simulated softcore nonsense since the gentleman appeared to be positioned too far away during coitus. Turns out he was just impressively endowed.

'Pornographe' turns in good performances from the actors, especially Leaud. He has the kind of homeopathic presence that made Sarah Polley famous. From a distance, the French national character appears understated, and quite reserved. Contrast that with the classic German, who is full of bluster, extroverted positivity, and usually neat as a pin. The English, finally, appear perpetually drunk and flooding the sidewalk with urine.

The long meditative shots of trees were meant to convey atmosphere, but kind of made me feel like I was waiting at a bus-stop. A minor complaint - it's worth seeing.