Le cochon

50 minute short. Certainly not a pleasant film to watch, but one that does work on a number of levels. It's simply the verite black and white documentation of the slaughter and butchering of a pig by a group of rural French farmers. On one level it's rather sickening to watch, from the screams of the pig and its bloody death, to the rendering of organs and flesh into sausage. But it's also noble on another level, as these farmers produce food as has been done for hundreds of years, without special modern equipment, and proceeding with obvious care, artistry and expertise. A portrait of a time and place that is rapidly disappearing, as well as an unflinching look at the reality of the food chain

Note, I finally caught this on you-tube. It's generally very hard to find. Per one article, the film was never officially subtitled, since the men speak in such a strong dialect that even French audiences can't understand much of it. (and to back that up showed at a London film fest w/no subs). There were subs on line, but read like some computer was spewing out gibberish. I quickly decided it was better to watch without them

What the bleep was Jean Eustache thinking when he directed "Le Cochon"?! I mean, I respected him until now, but this crossing between "Le Sang des Betes" and "Guinea Pig" has really nothing to offer whatsoever.l: watching Andy Warhol's "Empire" four times non-stop is more interesting than this... but one should have respect for its experimental value. A pig from its slaughter to your table plate: quite a way to go!