Exotica (1994)

A man whose daughter recently died becomes obsessed with a dancer in the night club Exotica.

Director:

Atom Egoyan

Writer:

Atom Egoyan

Stars:

Bruce Greenwood, Elias Koteas, Don McKellar

15 wins & 10 nominations.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Bruce Greenwood	...	Francis / Tax auditor
Mia Kirshner	...	Christina / Stripper
Don McKellar	...	Thomas / Petshop owner
Elias Koteas	...	Eric / Club's DJ
Arsinée Khanjian	...	Zoe / Club owner
Victor Garber	...	Harold / Francis' brother
Sarah Polley	...	Tracey / Harold's daughter
David Hemblen	...	Customs Inspector
Calvin Green	...	Customs Officer
Jack Blum	...	Scalper
Ken McDougall	...	Club Doorman
Peter Krantz	...	Man in Taxi
Billy Merasty	...	Man at Opera
Damon D'Oliveira	...	David / Man at Opera

Storyline

This psychological thriller is true to its subjects as well as being complex, dynamic, and overly dramatic. How something so long ago, seemingly trivial, years later with more significant trauma, turns repressed emotions into a dysfunctional life and distorted thinking. This is all merged into a psychological menagerie that unfolds piece by piece to perfection.

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Plot Keywords:

cult film | public nudity | large breasts | female full frontal nudity | female full rear nudity | 

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Taglines:

In a world of temptation, obsession is the deadliest desire.

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated R for some sexuality and language

Details

Country:

Canada

Language:

English Hebrew

Release Date:

24 March 1995 (USA)

Also Known As:

Exótica

Filming Locations:

Toronto, Ontario, Canada

Box Office

Budget:

CAD 2,000,000 (estimated)

Gross USA:

$4,183,379

Company Credits

Production Co:

Alliance Entertainment, Ego Film Arts, Miramax

Technical Specs

Runtime:

103 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Dolby SR

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

The director's wife, Arsinée Khanjian, was seven months pregnant when her parts in the movie were filmed.

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Goofs

The cuts on Francis's face change size & shape throughout the movie after he gets thrown out of Exotica.

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Quotes

Eric: Do it for me, baby! Oh! My god, that's incredible, incredible! Let me ask you something, gentlemen: What is it that gives a schoolgirl her special innocence? Her sweet fragrance... Fresh flowers, light as a spring rain... Oh, my god, my god... Or is it her firm, young flesh, inviting your every caress, enticing you to explore her deepest and most private secrets? Well, gentlemen, I'm gonna let you decide that one for yourselves. Please join me in welcoming a sassy bit of jailbait to our stage. ...

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Connections

Featured in Weird Sex and Snowshoes: A Trek Through the Canadian Cinematic Psyche (2004)

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Soundtracks

Fresh Has Jus B'Gun
Performed by MVP
Written by Courtney Cunningham, Franz Malvoism, Kevin Coleey and Philip Cole (MVP)
Courtesy of Full Flex Management and Productions

User Reviews

Another masterclass from Egoyan

I first became aware of Atom Egoyans work after watching "Felicias Journey" on television. This was an unusual film in that I was not sure whether I was enjoying it or not, but equally could not have switched it off. It was only when I found myself thinking about the film some days later that I realised what an excellent piece of cinema I had witnessed. Through IMDb I checked for other work by this director & came across "The Sweet Hereafter". I quickly obtained a copy, and whilst watching it became spellbound by its slow burning intensity and the excellent performances of Bruce Greenwood, Ian Holm & the wonderful Sarah Polley.

I needed to see more, and bought a copy of "Exotica". This film is an absolute masterpiece. Again, like "Sweet Hereafter" it has a slow burning quality,accentuated by the repetitive nature of the lives of the main characters. Excellent performances from Bruce Greenwood, probably one of the most underrated & understated actors of his generation, Sarah Polley, Elias Koteas and the beautiful Mia Kirshner. As you watch this film, you wonder how the lives of these characters will eventually impact on each other, and your mind searches for possible explanations. When this explanation arrives, it hits you like a tidal wave, washing away any doubts that you may have had about the quality of Egoyans storytelling.

After gorging myself on a surfeit of summer blockbusters, which although enjoyable at the time, like a Chinese meal, leave you empty again some few hours later, I needed nourishment for my mind as well as my eyes. The discovery of the genius of Atom Egoyan has provided this spiritual feeding.