Baise-Moi Review

After hearing about this movie's notorious reputation a couple of months ago from my usual sources, I made a note to see it at some point. The chance came during the week when I was surprised to see a single copy sitting on the shelf of my local Borders store. Trusting the recommendation I received, I bought it and took the movie home. I later discovered that the title itself, 'Baise-Moi' is French for 'Fuck Me'. I wasn't overly aware just how far this little flick goes!

Upon release this movie caused quite a storm worldwide. It enjoyed a short ban in New Zealand and Australia. Also it is still officially 'banned' here in Ireland which led to my surprise at seeing it on the shelf in a local store. It also was in the centre of public outrage in it's home country of France. This led to the original given 16 rating being revoked and the old 18 rating being revived just for this movie. The Canadian censors also struggled with classifying the movie and the UK censors cut a liberating 10 seconds or so from the movie because of their favourite opposition to so called 'sexual violence' in an early rape sequence.

Still interested? Read on....

Baise-Moi is based on a controversial Feminist French novel of the same name. Made on a shoe string budget, the movie tells the story of two young working class French women who by chance meet one night and form a close friendship. They share a common hatred for what is, in their eyes, a male run and sexually fueled society. They express this hatred by then going on a violent murderous rampage across France. Forget 'Amelie' or 'The Science of Sleep', Baise-Moi is a different side of French Cinema in the same vein as 'Irreversible' except not half as stylish.

Baise-Moi was shot entirely using DV cameras and no artificial light. This gives the movie a very amateur look but I felt that it works for the movie in the end as it adds a very gritty and realistic look which in turns compliments the on screen events. I was surprised that the film wasn't overly violent. Yes, there is a lot of violence in the movie but it isn't exactly shocking. Instead the film's controversy is firmly rooted in it's graphic, and I mean graphic, sex scenes. I won't give much away but let's just say this film has it all for the audience to see. Considering many of the actors and actresses including the lead roles are involved with adult film, such on screen 'performance' wasn't a problem. This sacrifice unfortunately makes the acting in the movie come across a little weak in the more dialog heavy scenes.

All in all, think of 'Baise-Moi' as a French exploitative 'I Spit on your Grave' for the 21st century. It's violent, tragic, savage and gritty 'no-holds-barred' look at the seedier side of French society. There is important underlying commentary here which is unfortunately slightly lost in the sheer controversial nature of the movie. It's not something for everyone but for those who can stop, forgive it's short comings and watch with an open mind, 'Baise-Moi' is a surprising and unlikely gem of a more underground kind of French Cinema.