Sauvage

From the opening scenes you get a sense that this is not going to be comfortable viewing.. But who came here for a comfortable time ? The film is crafted with care, love, attention and most importantly respect. The themes are intense, chaotic and thought provoking giving us a real insight into the life of a gay sex worker. Through out the film there are tender even intimate moments admist the depravity we witness, this is due to the brilliant talent Maritaud who plays Leo, he plays Leo with so much empathy, honour and understanding.

The main actor is a gem, in his performance there's only honesty and pureness. The character is somehow immersed in a difficult world, but as many critiques have already said: it's not paternalistic, cathartic or moralist about it. Leo doesn't seek redemption, help or anything beyond love. Sex work is just a tiny part of a very complex character; who is profoundly strong, naive and beautiful, almost dreamy. He's not the victim, he's a wounded soul who makes continuously bad choices, but the perplexing part to me it was the fact, that he seems at peace with himself and his actions, even at the end of the film. It is been a while since I have seen such a powerful film in terms of character complexity. It's definitely one of those films who won't leave you alone the moment you leave the cinema, it stays for a while in your mind and your heart. That my friends, it's the main point of art existing in the first place.

In another of my reviews I rated 'Theo and Hugo' as a gay film that was as close to perfection as possible. 'Sauvage' is as good, and objectively perhaps better. It also falls into the gay category. Or does it? As a gay man myself, I hate to say that this is a more widely themed film, but homophobia, which still exists as a curse within our society, will limit its appeal by putting it into what is offensively categorised as the 'gay' niche.

This is a masculine film and it depicts a group of male prostitutes who do not (want to) fall into the gay category. They may protect each other and form fierce ties, but their actual identities are as fluid as water. Leo, our main protagonist is basically gay, and when he loses the love of his life, who is a partner in prostitution, his precarious life unravels towards tragedy. He is romantic and can be gentle, but he is a broken person in a broken society. He did not choose to be broken, but his very nature, faced with the brutality that surrounds him, crushes his health and his inner resources. The ending has overwhelming power, as portrayed by Robert Bresson in 'Mouchette' and 'Au Hasard Balthazar'. This is not about choice, but the inevitability of the pain that society inflicts upon the more sensitive and gentle in our world. Leo's face at the end should move everyone to anger and tears.

The compassionate and also the more tortured aspects of the sexual world he is in are shown explicitly. Some were sickening and Leo was sickened by them. But, elderly gays are portrayed with more tenderness than younger gays, which is an about turn from other gay films, and for the better!

I was reminded also of Bunuel and the opening of 'L'Age d'Or'. The scorpions fight in this masculine environment, and the torturer in the car and the young couple with the monstrous sex toy are a disgrace even to the scorpions.

Last but not least, the film depicts homelessness and the human shame of a society that stands by, watches, and intervenes only when prodded. But like Bresson's gentle donkey Leo lays down his head to (perhaps) finally rest and I repeat, we see one of the most sublime scenes in cinema.

Really believable characters and behaviour.

The way men connect abuse and live each other is beautifully explored within this film. Beautiful acting and shocking at times.

The smell and energy almost wafts from the screen.

The ending which if course I can't discuss here has left us with a huge debate about why and what and alternative endings.

This film is different from what I've seen before. Takes me into a World I've visited and left. Will tell a story some will know well and others not at all.

It's a violent beautiful erotic film.

Haunting and quite special.

Leo is a 22 year old prostitute, in love with another male prostitute; only the guy he's in love with is heterosexual. He clearly cares for Leo, but cares more about his material well-being, even if it means 'bunking up' with an old man. Leo is different. He needs love, but not forced love. But at what cost? A slowly affecting drama which made me appreciate the love I have. 7.5 out of ten