Vers le sud (2005)

User Rating:

6.4/10   

Director:

Laurent Cantet

Writers:

Robin Campillo (writer)
Laurent Cantet (writer)

Release Date:

25 January 2006 (France)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Three female tourists have their eyes opened while visiting the poverty-stricken and dangerous world of 1980s Haiti.

Plot Keywords:

Haiti | Savannah Georgia | French | Sex | 1970s

Awards:

2 wins & 1 nomination

Cast

Charlotte Rampling	...	Ellen
Karen Young	...	Brenda
Louise Portal	...	Sue
Ménothy Cesar	...	Legba
Lys Ambroise	...	Albert
Jackenson Pierre Olmo Diaz	...	Eddy
Wilfried Paul	...	Neptune
Anotte Saint Ford	...	Limousine Girl
Marie-Laurence Hérard	...	Airport Woman
Michelet Cassis	...	Charlie
Pierre-Jean Robert	...	Chico
Jean Delinze Salomon	...	Jérémy
Kettline Amy	...	Denise
Daphné Destin	...	Lossita
Guiteau Nestant	...	Frank

Also Known As:

Heading South (USA)

Runtime:

108 min | France:107 min | Canada:105 min (Toronto International Film Festival)

Country:

France | Canada

Language:

French | English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital | DTS

Certification:

Brazil:16 | Switzerland:14 (canton of Geneva) | Switzerland:14 (canton of Vaud) | France:U | Netherlands:MG6 | UK:15 | Australia:M | Sweden:7 | USA:Unrated | Argentina:16 | Finland:K-11 | Canada:13+ (Quebec)

Filming Locations:

Dominican Republic

Company:

Haut et Court

Trivia:

Visa d'exploitation en France: #107737.

Goofs:

Anachronisms: When Brenda is desperately looking for Legba and she wanders around the village at night, one of the guys she crosses by is wearing a Larry Johnson NBA New York Knicks basketball jacket with number 2. Larry Johnson played for the Knicks in the mid '90s.

Very Real Characters

I really don't understand those who find this movie boring or disappointing. The main characters come across as very real. All had needs to be met. The three were able to meet those needs because they had the money to do it. They journey to Haiti as sex tourist seeking out young men to fulfill their desires for orgasms, love and affection. It's really no different than men who go places like Thailand and other such places where sex can be had for a few dollars by those who live in unimaginable poverty. The film also deals with the disdain that the people who live in Haiti have for the sex tourist.

The film is well cast. Charlotte Rampling, Karen Young, and Louise Portal well portray the desperation for affection sought by them. Louise Portal as Legba and Lys Ambroise as Albert are excellent as the other side of this perverted fantasy.

Highly recommended.