Can we still present Gaspar Noé? The Argentinian filmmaker (but in France since his youth), troublemaker of French cinema is back. From his first film (Alone against all the vengeful odyssey of a horse butcher) to recently with Climax, while passing through Irreversible, Gaspar Noé has not ceased to cause controversy. And this is not likely to stop with his new opus, Climax, which since the Cannes Film Festival monopolizes the attention. Focus.
A cinema of malaise and outrage, Gaspar Noé is making a comeback. After an imperfect Love, which was undoubtedly the most mainstream film of his career, the filmmaker signs a film that can be likened to a horror film unlike anything we have ever seen.
First image. A total white. Only disturbed by the appearance of a woman, crawling in the snow, leaving with her trails of blood. Everything is said. Climax will be a brutal film that will not give its audience any respite.
There are two films in Climax.First of all, a film that is more akin to contemporary art, to video and choreographic experimentation that shows dancers dancing to Cerrone's Supernature. Filmed entirely in sequence shot, and this, in a virtuoso way, Noé shows the dance in an unprecedented way. We have never filmed dancers in this way. These are filmed in order to show their beauties, their ardour and their youth. Led by Sofia Boutella, who impresses. As the only professional actress, we have the opportunity to rediscover her and see her as we have never seen before. In a very different role from Kingsman, or The Mummy, she signs here one of her best performances which is fascinating by its intensity. As for the other actors, that strangers, from different ethnicities but representing different sexualities (presence of transgender, gay, lesbian, straight etc.). Their performances are to be commended, despite some moments of weakness in the dialogues (although the dialogue on sodomy between two black characters promises to be a future cult scene). Weaknesses counterbalanced by impressive physical performance.
The second part is a real horror film. The plot couldn't be simpler. While the band of dancers are partying after a hard day of rehearsal, a clever little one slips LSD into the sangria. And from that moment on, the narrative gets carried away and gradually turns into pure and hard horror. Filmed in sequence, at least 45 minutes long, the horror intervenes gradually, like a slow crescendo. From panic attacks to and epileptic seizures, with a beating of pregnant women, clashes etc. Gaspar Noé is not limited to violence. Without being called gore, it requires to be particularly hooked and to be prepared to be extremely uncomfortable. Discomfort, reinforced by the use of camera and sound, inevitably causing dizziness. Here, the camera and the plot are very clear at the beginning, very readable, before switching irretrievably in a chaotic way, reflecting the state of mind of the characters then on the verge of madness. A technique already used by Noah in Irreversible, but which began this time in a chaotic way but ended in a very understandable way.
Gaspar Noé surpasses himself here. He films the events with a masterful hand. The film is composed in particular of two very long spectacular sequence shots. The photography is absolutely perfect, and testifies to a mastery of light almost unique in French cinema. The use of music is also impressive, including the very ironic appearance of Tainted Love in an extremely trying situation. Or the poetic vision of waking up after a nightmare night on an instrumental version of Angie by the Stones. All this is obviously not used to serve a message. The only message that can be found in this film is a "don't take drugs, it's dangerous". However, Gaspar Noé is not a filmmaker of the message but of experience. A filmmaker who seeks by all means to provoke the most violent emotions possible. Going so far as to force some spectators out of the room.
The most sensitive will find it difficult to stand in front of Climax who has no mercy towards his audience. For others, lovers of strong experiences and cinematic masochism, Climax is a blessing. But one thing is certain. You won't be ready.
