European Premiere / Features – International
Showing @ Filmhouse 1, Sat 25 @ 15:00 & Filmhouse 2, Sun 26 @ 19:00
Pascal Arnold, Jean-Marc Barr / France / 2011 / 109 min / French with English subtitles
The odd relationship of a serial killer and his girlfriend is explored in American Translation as young couple Chris (Pierre Perrier) and Aurore (Lizzie Brocheré) embark on a sex-fuelled killing spree. Having fallen instantly and inexplicably in love, the duo go on the road to unleash their seductive violence on unsuspecting male prostitutes.
The instant reaction to this film is that it is incredibly self-indulgent, and a quick glance over the credits reveals that director Pascal Arnold wrote it, while the second director Jean-Marc Barr stars in it – and very stiffly at that. Whilst this isn’t a problem per se, it is abundantly clear that the pair lacked external guidance as to what would make for interesting viewing. They seem much more determined to make a porn film than anything credible, with countless sex scenes, nudity at every opportunity and ridiculous amounts of snogging. This endless tongue wrestling isn’t only boring, but it gives the impression that the directors are trying to sex up an already very dull script. This padding out extends to all kinds of shots, especially in drawn out driving scenes as if every inch of action needs to be shown in order for us to understand what’s going on. Actually, this just helps the overly blatant exposition-filled script drift into banality.
All of the extras are mind-numbingly flat, giving the film a very amateur feel. Perrier and Brocheré have more life about them, but their performances are very limited with the only form of expression being longing looks into each other’s eyes. Nothing about their relationship is credible other than their copious sex – which we’re left in no doubt about – and their motivations for murder are left desperately unexplained. In fact the only thing that makes them stand out as performers is their willingness to do so many sex scenes, and to spend the majority of the film nude. Far from being a risqué and intriguing study into the mind of a psychotic serial killer, the combination of a weak script and such lacklustre direction makes a very dull and quickly forgettable cinematic experience.