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Sauvage (French)

This recent French film is a very detailed character study of a young gay hustler in the streets of Paris. He is very lonely and vulnerable, yet situations around him have hardened him and he has figured out ways of survival. This is not an easy film to either act in or make. There is always a fine balance here and I think the director does a good job.

Leo is a 22 year old male prostitute practically living on streets, doesn't change clothes, picks food from garbage or steals. We also later find that he keeps coughing and probably has some signs of TB. He along with quite a few others look for clients day in and night. One of his closest friends, is an Arab looking hustler just like him who also proclaims he is straight. Leo is very much in love with him but he treats leo as a very good friend and is always available for him. But when an older ex-client shows up, Leo's friend moves back with him and Leo becomes alone again. But Leo is still in love with him. He later meets another hustler who likes Leo but Leo can't stop thinking about his friend. Finally he sees the reality and as told by his friend, looks for a older guy who will love him for who he is. In the interim, he also cleans himself up of drug use and prostitution.

The film is slow and a lot of focus is done on to create Leo's lonely world. he wants love which he looks via kissing clients or spending nights with them but he misses true love. There are long drawn scenes where we see him roaming around. But still there is an interesting sensual queer melancholy about the whole thing. The sex scenes have absolute no inhibitions. There is plenty of nudity and we get to see how Leo is used and abused on top of all the issues he is already facing. The mix of intensity and innocence in Leo's gaze suggests that while selling his body is obviously transactional, for him it's also personal. You start feeling for Leo and want him to find someone who could care for him and love him. As the doctor points out, he is in a very bad shape for a 22 year old. The scene where the lady doctor is doing a physical check up and he just hugs her is heart-breaking. I really would not wish anyone in the world to feel so lonely. Ever! The friendship between Leo and his buddy is amazing and tender. Its beautiful to see how he will always stick up for his friend. Acting by all the primary actors is top notch but its Leo's show all he way. His quiet demeanor and lonely existence just takes it to another level. Of course, given the film's pace is considerably slow at various places, could piss some viewers off and I myself was itching for it to pick up the pace. But that doesn't take away from the fact that this film is definitely worth watching.

A film that finally manages to show male hustlers as human beings in a merciless world. Its the choices you make in life and those choices have consequences. Definitely recommend. (7/10)

Comments

luigi43 said…
Well , well , well: it looks like the French Movies find out a great actor and , as usual , it takes all the roles ( 120 b. p.seconds , Jonas , un cuteau dans le coeur ,..... ! And this is good , very good . An handsome , sexy man who does' hide anything of his body ! By the way he is also a good actor. :-)))
Golu said…
True!! a very good actor who also doesn't shy away from showing his vulnerable side including body.
Sailor Maan said…
Love this actor too! And liked the movie also. A little bit too gloomy and violent for me though (not that hookers life must be wonderfull but here it felt too much at times)
Golu (and Luigi) wish you a fantastic year 2019! Quite late but not too late haha
Golu said…
Thanks Sailor Mann and Happy new years to you too.
French movies have a unique manner to depict life. Félix Maritaud is brilliant. I really loved this one. Wordy and raw, modern,even showing meat sometimes. One of the best in years.
Golu said…
It was definitely very raw and I was glad it was done more realistically.
Dennis said…
Hello, finally dared to watch this movie, found it to be heartbreaking and points to unconfortable realities that regretfully we have witnessed.
Golu said…
exactly. No one said life is fair. The more we look around, we will find the struggles that various people have gone through to be at the place where they are today. We just never think much of it. Films like this, force us to think.

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