Bent (1997)

Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay, and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays).... See full summary »

Director:

Sean Mathias

Writers:

Martin Sherman (screenplay), Martin Sherman (play)

Stars:

Lothaire Bluteau, Clive Owen, Mick Jagger

3 wins & 3 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Mick Jagger	...	Greta
Clive Owen	...	Max
Brian Webber	...	Rudy
Nikolaj Coster-Waldau	...	Wolf (as Nikolaj Waldau)
Jude Law	...	Stormtrooper
Gresby Nash	...	Waiter
Suzanne Bertish	...	Half-Woman - Half-Man
David Meyer	...	Gestapo Man
Stefan Marling	...	SS Captain
Richard Laing	...	SS Guard
Crispian Belfrage	...	SS Guard
Ian McKellen	...	Uncle Freddie
Johanna Kirby	...	Muttering Woman
David Phelan	...	Fluff in Park
Peter Stark	...	Guard 1 on Train

Storyline

Max is gay and as such is sent to Dachau concentration camp under the Nazi regime. He tries to deny he is gay, and gets a yellow label (the one for Jews) instead of pink (the one for gays). In camp, he falls in love with fellow prisoner Horst, who wears his pink label with pride.

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Plot Keywords:

360 degree well camera shot | reference to cologne | gay | guard | train | 

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Taglines:

The stunning film adaptation of Martin Sherman's award-winning play.

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Genres:

Drama | History | Romance | War

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

Rated NC-17 for a strong scene of graphic sexuality

Details

Official Sites:

MGM

Country:

UK Japan

Language:

English

Release Date:

26 November 1997 (USA)

Also Known As:

Akumim

Filming Locations:

UK

Box Office

Opening Weekend USA:

$145,222, 30 November 1997, Limited Release

Gross USA:

$372,341, 28 December 1997

Company Credits

Production Co:

Channel Four Films, NDF Inc., ASK Kodansha

Technical Specs

Runtime:

105 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Having played the role of Max in the original Broadway production of "Bent", Richard Gere was the original choice of the producers for the same role in the film, but having already contracted to appear in Red Corner (1997) and The Jackal (1997), he was unavailable for the shooting schedule of this movie.

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Quotes

Max: Ever go to the Silhouette?
Horst: Yes.
Max: I never saw you there.
Horst: You weren't looking.
Max: Greta's Club?
Horst: No.
Max: Good, you had taste. The White Mouse?
Horst: Sometimes.
Max: I'm surprised you never saw me there. Did you sunbathe?
Horst: I love to sunbathe.
[...]

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Crazy Credits

The film opens with the main credits revealing like a searchlight.

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Alternate Versions

For the U.S. release, the sex scenes were toned down from an "NC-17" rating to an "R" rated release. Both versions are available.

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Connections

Referenced in The Bubble (2006)

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Soundtracks

STREETS OF BERLIN
Written by Martin Sherman and Philip Glass
Performed by Mick Jagger, piano by Matt Clifford

User Reviews

Too Stagey

Clive Owen plays Max, a loose, carefree, and cowardly playboy who is caught by Nazis along with his gay partner and shipped off to the Dachau concentration camp to do hard labor. He pretends to be in the yellow star unit meaning that he is Jewish instead of the pink triangle unit meaning that he is gay. But he meets a member of the pink triangle named Horst who he befriends and begins developing feelings for as they work day after day moving rocks from one place to another. The film is based on a play of the same name that gained much critical acclaim and won many awards. One viewer may realize this very quickly upon watching this movie as the film does feel quite staged. film works as a message film, the message being "be yourself". The film nails this concept pretty much solidly. Unfortunately, there are some distractingly bad flaws here. As I mentioned earlier, the film is incredibly staged. The film doesn't feel like reality. There are scenes that are so stage like in execution, it almost incites an unintentional laugh. There's even a scene of violence that feels extremely prepared and strangely very dance like. It's really too bad because there are some fantastic scenes herein. There is an orgy scene early in the film that is full of erotic passion and beauty. There are some harrowing scenes that take place on the train that are pretty disturbing. And there is an early scene involving Mick Jagger that is pretty interesting. Overall, even though it's interesting, moving and well acted, it's a poor film. There are some undeniably powerful scenes, but there isn't enough there for me. I recommend it if it sounds interesting to you. Just be prepared for some really sloppy directing.