Sweet Movie (1974)

After winning the "most virgin" contest, Miss Canada is married to a rich milk tycoon. But she quickly flees the marriage to experience the world around her, full of sweetness and anarchy.

Director:

Dusan Makavejev

Writers:

France Gallagher (collaboration), Dusan Makavejev

Stars:

Carole Laure, Pierre Clémenti, Anna Prucnal

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Carole Laure	...	Miss 1984 / Miss Canada
Pierre Clémenti	...	Potemkin Sailor
Anna Prucnal	...	Anna / Capitaine
Sami Frey	...	El Macho
Jane Mallett	...	Mrs. Alplanalpe / Aristote's mother
Roy Callender	...	Jeremiah / Mrs. Alplanalpe's bodyguard
John Vernon	...	Aristote / M. Kapital
Hansi Roll
Therese Schulmeister
Renate Steiger	...	(as Renata Steiger)
Berndt Stein
Herbert Stumpfl
Otto Muehl	...	Member of Therapie-Komune
Catherine Sola
Louis Bessières

Storyline

In the contest of the "most virgin" Miss Monde 1984, Miss Canada wins, and prize is the marriage with the milk industry tycoon with his fifty billion dollars fortune. In their honeymoon, Miss Canada "does not accept" the golden prostate of her husband, and with the support of the family bodyguard Jeremiah Muscle, she gets boarded to Paris. There she meets a Latin lip-sync singer, El Macho, they have an intercourse in Eiffel Tour and they get stuck together. She moves to an anarchic community of sodomy and later she becomes an actress working in a erotic chocolate advertisement. Meanwhile, the revolutionary, pedophile, and mad killer Anna Planeta makes candy in her boat while sailing through the canals of a city that seems to be Amsterdam. She meets the sailor Potemkin and they have a torrid affair. Meanwhile she uses her candies to seduce young boys and kill her lovers. In the middle of the story, it is presented what seem to be footages of a Nazi doctor and a slaughter in a war with ...

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Plot Keywords:

orgy | male full frontal nudity | buried in sugar | sex | pouring chocolate over naked body | 

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Genres:

Comedy | Drama | Mystery

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Did You Know?

Trivia

The Italian dialogue was dubbed by Pier Paolo Pasolini and Dacia Maraini.

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Quotes

Miss Monde 1984: Hitler! DirtyJew!
Jeremiah Muscle: They call me... Neanderthal.

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Connections

References Triumph of the Will (1935)

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Soundtracks

Is there life on the Earth?
Music by Manos Hatzidakis (as Manos Hadjidakis)
Lyrics by Anne Lonnberg and Dusan Makavejev
Performed by Anne Lonnberg

User Reviews

Ah, the golden early 70's

I've seen people write that the only true Surrealist films were made in the 20's-30's with of course Bunuel's Un Chien Andalou heading the pack. Now "Sweet Movie" might not be a true Surrealist film, but I think an argument can be made that it's definitely surrealism that follows the path of the aforementioned classic from Bunuel. I've seen Jodorowsky referenced to describe it, and to me it was reminiscent of Fernando Arrabal's stuff, aside from the obvious shocking imagery and 70's vibe.

I've just watched it, and besides some symbolism (repressed/sheltered life vs "liberation"), I'm not going to champion the film as having some deep meaning behind it. There is an evident juxtaposition of innocence (Miss Virginity) and the surreal messed up journey she embarks on and the abuse she has to endure, along with interspersed Holocaust footage and a parallel tale of a supposedly Communist woman and her deviant activities and relationship with a fellow revolutionary. What ensues are scenes that are designed to shock, but Makavejev would probably say that he wanted to "Freudian out" with it. Despite the plethora of shock scenes, there are definitely humorous parts and it's all done in a lighthearted manner to me).

I didn't think it was great, as it was too much of an amalgamation with no strong substance, but it still works for what it was (see above) and besides being offbeat it had an inviting festive vibe (combined with the exploitation!). I suppose art-house exploitation is a proper title.

Details

Country:

France West Germany Canada

Language:

English French Polish Spanish Italian

Release Date:

12 June 1974 (France)

Also Known As:

Sweet Movie

Filming Locations:

Amsterdam, Noord-Holland, Netherlands

Box Office

Budget:

CAD700,000 (estimated)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Maran Film, Mojack Film Ltée, V.M. Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

98 min 95 min (cut)

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1