So, I just watched The Exterminating Angels, and honestly, it’s a doozy! This French film by Jean-Claude Brisseau really gets under your skin, and not always in a good way. It’s a provocative, borderline controversial, journey into the world of obsession and desire. Imagine Ingmar Bergman’s introspection mixed with Lars von Trier’s audacity – tricky combo, right?

First off, the plot is pretty nuts. François, a director, sets out to explore what women consider taboo, capturing their most intimate fantasies. And yeah, it turns into this deep dive into eroticism and art, with heavenly creatures thrown in for good measure. It feels like Brisseau wanted to make you squirm but also to think. And boy, was I thinking… and squirming.

The performances are solid, especially from lead actor Frédéric van den Driessche. But it’s the actresses – all these women undergoing emotional and physical tumult – that really shine. You can’t help but feel for them, even if sometimes the film borders on being exploitative. It’s a delicate balance, and to be honest, Brisseau doesn’t always nail it.

There’s a scene where the characters are in this art studio, and it just hit me with a wave of nostalgia. Reminded me of my own days dabbling in painting at Konstfack in the late 80s. There was always this tension between creation and propriety, though not nearly as… ahem, intense as Brisseau portrays.

But hey, was it all artsy-fartsy or did it have substance? That’s where I’m a bit torn. Some bits felt genuinely profound. Others? Pure sensationalism. Like the universe of this film is half philosophical inquiry, half schlocky erotic thriller.

It’s visually striking, no doubt. The cinematography, all moody and atmospheric, reminds me of a rainy Stockholm evening. You know, that gray light filtering through our Nordic skies? And the music – kind of haunting, though it sometimes feels like it’s trying a bit too hard.

In terms of cultural context, The Exterminating Angels resonates with contemporary discussions on power dynamics and consent, especially in creative settings. It’s kinda relevant given the movement, even if the movie was made back in 2006. There’s this eerie prescience about it.

Was it my cup of kaffe? Ehhh, maybe not entirely. What do you think? The trailers here if you want a sneak peak