Cleverly mixing animation, puppetry and actors in beastly costumes, director Henri Xhonneux and co-writer and creature designer Roland Topor have created a bizarrely original work that pushes cinematic boundaries, as well as good taste, to the limit.
Making its American theatrical premiere at Film Forum, "Marquis'' may turn off some of the more prudish viewers, but the bulk of the art-house crowd is sure to be willingly drawn in to this naughty, bawdy, wacky world. Its lascivious nature and blend of highbrow and sophomoric humor will undoubtedly earn "Marquis'' a cult following.
Set in the Bastille prison of 1789, and based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade, the film revolves around Marquis, an aristocratic canine and his best friend, Colin, who also happens to be his penis. Marquis has been imprisoned for defecating on a cross. To keep his mind sharp, he engages in philosophical and sexual discussions with the constantly erect Colin.
It's an interesting twist on buddy pictures as Marquis and Colin prove to be an uneasy alliance. Sure, they're close, but they disagree on some very important issues. Colin wishes Marquis would act more and talk less when it comes to sex. He wants action, and eventually suffers a minor head injury after convincing Marquis to have intercourse with a sexy section of their prison cell wall.
Elsewhere, fellow inmates Lupino, the dog-faced ex-police chief, and Piganou, a one-legged porker, plan their escape. Aiding them is Juliette, a hot filly who happens to be involved in a sadomasochistic relationship with the head rooster, the Governor of the Bastille. She believes that her lover, Lupino, is destined to lead the Revolution. With her painful hold on the governor she hopes to expedite matters.
Practically every scene is rife with one sexual connotation, or act, after another. Ambert, that dirty rat prison guard, constantly begs Marquis to make love to him. Even Colin is hesitant on that front. Justine, a real heifer, is raped by the king, violently milked by Ambert and lustily desired by Colin.
Some of the visuals are a bit potent but always impressive. Colin, in particular, with his tiny facial expressions, is a real pleasure to watch. Though restricted in movement, his vocal discourses along with his animated eyes and mouth make his character a real standout.
The story line here truly takes a back seat to the brilliantly conceived imagery on the screen. In fact, the story line really doesn't matter at all. The wild action and ribald interplay between these amazingly diverse characters would be a treat no matter what premise brought them all together.
"Marquis'' definitely takes risks, but without risks there can be no reward. Fortunately, the rewards here are plenty.
MARQUIS
Y.C. Alligator Film/Constellation Production/Tchin Tchin Production
Director Henri Xhonneux
Writers Henri Xhonneux, Roland Topor
Designer of original creatures-art director
Roland Topor
Director of photography Etienne Faudet
Music Reinhardt Wagner
Color
In French with subtitles
Cast:Bien De Moor, Gabrielle Van Damme, Philippe Bizot, Bernard Cognaux, Olivier Dechaveau, Pierre Decuypere
Running time --83 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
Making its American theatrical premiere at Film Forum, "Marquis'' may turn off some of the more prudish viewers, but the bulk of the art-house crowd is sure to be willingly drawn in to this naughty, bawdy, wacky world. Its lascivious nature and blend of highbrow and sophomoric humor will undoubtedly earn "Marquis'' a cult following.
Set in the Bastille prison of 1789, and based on the writings of the Marquis de Sade, the film revolves around Marquis, an aristocratic canine and his best friend, Colin, who also happens to be his penis. Marquis has been imprisoned for defecating on a cross. To keep his mind sharp, he engages in philosophical and sexual discussions with the constantly erect Colin.
It's an interesting twist on buddy pictures as Marquis and Colin prove to be an uneasy alliance. Sure, they're close, but they disagree on some very important issues. Colin wishes Marquis would act more and talk less when it comes to sex. He wants action, and eventually suffers a minor head injury after convincing Marquis to have intercourse with a sexy section of their prison cell wall.
Elsewhere, fellow inmates Lupino, the dog-faced ex-police chief, and Piganou, a one-legged porker, plan their escape. Aiding them is Juliette, a hot filly who happens to be involved in a sadomasochistic relationship with the head rooster, the Governor of the Bastille. She believes that her lover, Lupino, is destined to lead the Revolution. With her painful hold on the governor she hopes to expedite matters.
Practically every scene is rife with one sexual connotation, or act, after another. Ambert, that dirty rat prison guard, constantly begs Marquis to make love to him. Even Colin is hesitant on that front. Justine, a real heifer, is raped by the king, violently milked by Ambert and lustily desired by Colin.
Some of the visuals are a bit potent but always impressive. Colin, in particular, with his tiny facial expressions, is a real pleasure to watch. Though restricted in movement, his vocal discourses along with his animated eyes and mouth make his character a real standout.
The story line here truly takes a back seat to the brilliantly conceived imagery on the screen. In fact, the story line really doesn't matter at all. The wild action and ribald interplay between these amazingly diverse characters would be a treat no matter what premise brought them all together.
"Marquis'' definitely takes risks, but without risks there can be no reward. Fortunately, the rewards here are plenty.
MARQUIS
Y.C. Alligator Film/Constellation Production/Tchin Tchin Production
Director Henri Xhonneux
Writers Henri Xhonneux, Roland Topor
Designer of original creatures-art director
Roland Topor
Director of photography Etienne Faudet
Music Reinhardt Wagner
Color
In French with subtitles
Cast:Bien De Moor, Gabrielle Van Damme, Philippe Bizot, Bernard Cognaux, Olivier Dechaveau, Pierre Decuypere
Running time --83 minutes
No MPAA rating
(c) The Hollywood Reporter...
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