Les nuits fauves

For a movie about how AIDS affects a person, his behavior, and the compounded effects on those around him, one might expect the film to play the emotions of the viewer in an obvious way. However I must say I was engrossed from the beginning to shortly before the end by the film, never having the opportunity to distance myself and view the scene or action as a critic, dissecting what the director's intent was. I was very pleased.

This film somehow seems like an observational documentary, a whirlwind trip inside somebody's life and mind, with all of the turbulence and contradiction that our lives often have. I've seen this film described as hysterical. Perhaps some lives do function on a more fraught emotional plane than others and that rollercoaster ride ascends to great pleasures as well as sinking toward the inevitable depths that tangibly fierce existences must face.

What a talent Collard was. Perhaps this would have been his finest moment had he lived. Somehow I feel that his consumate talent was just flowering when his body finally succumbed to his illness. Technically it is competent rather than outstanding, yet there are some scenes that have been arranged beautifully. However, the true magic in this film lies in its restricted narrative. All emotions are allowed to express themselves freely. The shots are relentless in their gaze. Collard's character makes the choice to live and to love, within the context of what life has in store for him. Where some cinema pontificates and emotionally rapes the audience, this film priviliges the viewer. We see non-hegemonic cinematic bravery and an engagement with freedom, and how that leaves one raw and damaged. Yet each day alive is a gift. We are fortunate indeed to share Collard's gift within this film and I urge those who have not seen it to do so.

When I saw it for the first time on 1st Russian Channel ORT in The Gold Collection I was so impressed I couldn't talk about it. This movie really changed me, changed the way I felt about myself & the world around. Cyril have done really great job to help people understand that there are other colours in this world besides black & white and sometimes people are learning a lot even if hurts to live. I remember 2 interesting quotes: the 1st is from Del Amitri song: "When U driving with your breakes on, when U swimming with your boots on - it's really hard to say U love someone, it's really hard to say U don't." And the 2nd is (somebody wrote once): everything that doesn't kill me - makes me stronger. Unfortunately we can't use it literally in this case. But it's the same situation with all heroes - they die young & became famous. Another thing I'd like to say is: has anyone ever tried to compare Cyril Collard's "Les Nuits Fauves" and Gregg Araki's 'The Living End"? I mean these 2 pictures are quite different but I felt both of it are really personal & chamber. And acting, editing, directing & filming I think has a lot in common. But the end in "Les Nuits Fauves" I like more. And the music is just great. It's not really professional but it makes it more touching. Thank U for reading this comment.

Many films are described as "true life dramas". but this is the one if ever there was one. The central character Jean (Cyril Collard) a hedonistic young film producer who engages in sex with both men and women mirrors the real life story of Cyril Collard who was suffering from the AIDS virus during the making of this film and succumbed to it when the film was finished. This is a great shame because obviously Cyril Collard has lots of talent both as actor and producer, and had he lived we could have enjoyed a whole lot of top quality films. This film starts on a quiet note but gathers strength after Jean reveals he is suffering from AIDS. His girl friend Laura is shocked at the revelation as they had been engaged in unprotected sex. Wild scenes of erratic and uncontrolled behaviour indicate the frustrations of the couple. His outburst "I don't want to die!" is a high point and her constant appeal to him to give up his male contacts bears little fruit. "Help me to leave you!" is her pathetic cry. Cyril Collard has a great charm and infectious smile which he uses to advantage in his characterisation of Jean. It is a powerful drama with a constant feeling of desperation as we the viewers anticipate the fatal outcome. Not a film to cheer you up after a hard day, but it has a frightening authenticity about it which compels you to watch it to the end. The film clearly makes the point that we have a responsibility re the health of others beyond our own self satisfaction.

"Savage Nights" is a character driven film about an HIV+ bisexual man and his love affairs, particularly with the female lead. As is often the case with Europics, especially French films, this movie is not so much a story as it is a study of behavior. In this case the behavior is of interest because the male lead, who really was HIV+ and died from AIDS at age 35, continues to lead a life of promiscuity in spite of his affliction, wrestling with his awareness of his disease, his inability to reconcile himself to his fate, and the temptations represented by his love interest and sexual partners. Unfortunately, "Savage Nights" is a journeyman film at best which grows tedious quickly as it gets wound up in its own confused emotions. However, it does have a sort of intriguing honesty about it and rejects the pity which is so often a part of films about people with HIV.