MARQUIS
A film review by Thomas E. Billings
Copyright 1990 Thomas E. Billings
Synopsis: Costume drama set in France at the time of the revolution (1788-89), centered on the activities of the Marquis deSade. Unlike other films on the subject, all the actors in this film wear animal masks and portray animals! Raunchy and very sick, the film is filled with S & M, political humor, and phony bestiality. One redeeming social virtue -- it's outrageously funny!
Belgium/France (English subtitles), color, 1989, 83 minutes. Director/Writer: Henri Xhonneux Creature Design/Art Director: Roland Topor
This film deals with two years in the life of the Marquis, who is imprisoned in the infamous Bastille for religious crimes. The Marquis spends his time in prison writing the dirty S & M fantasy stories for which he is famous, and talking with his huge (nearly a meter long) phallus, which has a human face and talks back!. His phallus has a rather unique and impulsive view of life, and serves as a literary critic as well.
The Marquis has the face of a dog, but his other features are human. The jailer has the face of a rat, is bisexual, and lusts for the Marquis. The plot of the film concerns the political intrigue surrounding the Marquis, who is blamed for impregnating a "woman" who has the face of a cow (she was really raped by the King). Additionally, revolutionaries are plotting the overthrow of the monarchy, and want to release certain prisoners (they ask for help from the Marquis in their plot).
That's all I will reveal of the plot, to avoid any spoilers. This is certainly the strangest film I have seen in some time, and also one of the funniest. The animal masks & costumes are very well done, and make a strong, realistic impression on the viewer. The result is a film that lies between animation and live-action. Perhaps it could be described as similar to the Muppets, but done by someone on drugs with a truly warped sense of humor.
This is not a film for everyone. It is very funny, but also very dirty (sexual humor) at times, and there is plenty of S & M, and some blood/gore. There is some clay animation in the film, which is used to portray certain of the more violent fantasies of the Marquis (which might be offensive to some viewers).
Because of the subject matter, the film is not suitable for children, prudes, the squeamish, the humor-impaired, or anyone with an attitude problem. The film should appeal to those with an offbeat, very raunchy sense of humor. Note also that despite its sexual nature, there appears to be no genuine (explicit) sex in it. However, it is worth seeing, if your tastes include the bizarre!
Distribution. U.S. premiere now in progress at the San Francisco Int'l. Film Festival. Next showings: Friday/Saturday 5/11-12 at the AMC Kabuki Theater in San Francisco. No information on future release plans. Print Source: Constellation Productions, 108 rue des Dames, 75017 Paris, France.
Reviewer contact: teb@stat.Berkeley.EDU
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