MovieChat Forums > Le jeu avec le feu (1975) Discussion > Based all on we saw in this movie, what ...

Based all on we saw in this movie, what does it all mean?

posted 3 years ago by TheMan18 (13118)
2 replies | jump to latest

Was the girl really kidnapped and sold to a brothel? Why were the victims often coming across as willing participants and what's up with the very weird ending?

Was the whole film supposed to be a dark and erotic satire on such themes as slavery, the treatment of women in society by men under the patriarchy-oriented system run by men, crime and mostly male fantasy (of a dark variety) on sexuality?

Very strange, at times disturbing, at times satirical and at other times adult and erotic, movie this one, and one of the greatest little known cult treasures in cinema I've ever seen, if only now they could release a proper version of it with English subtitles.

P.S. And yeah, I also couldn't help how to some extent, the film also pre-dates our internet era where these types of matters even IN MOVIES are actively discussed and analyzed and this movie also makes a satire on even future movements like the MRA and various culture-oriented darkness in humanity tied to masculinity and sexuality.

P.P.S. And of course, it goes with saying that its just a film and in no way whatsoever are we meant to copy any of such events into real life or think of them as acceptable. The movie is basically a weird cult 70s erotic black comedy thriller satire. Very much in Alain Robbe-Grillet's own vein, but can be seen as a mixture of Jean Rollin, Jess Franco, Walerian Borowczyk and Jean Luc-Godard.

[–] raphina (6) 3 years ago

Just watched it, surprised there's no discussion here (unless IMDB removed) like you said it seems like a cult film reminded me a bit of Salo.

I didn't really focus so I may have missed some parts but it seemed like Carolina was aware the whole time? Definitely weird film, with the random sound effects/music and some frames can be a painting.

[–] TheMan18 (13118) 3 years ago

Its definitely more tastefully done than Pasolini's notorious swan song "Salo" (which goes with saying is rightly and legitimately also considered one of the most controversial and disturbing films of all time) and also - no offense to anyone, but it is mostly aimed at fans of weird erotic cinema of a male gaze variety, even if it also has some violence and sexual violence here and there too and a few rather perverse moments such as the one with the dog.

And I'd say style and genre and type wise, it is much closer to the aforementioned exploitation cinema by such representatives as the named Franco, Rollin, Borowczyk with a little bit of arty Jean Luc Godard and Luis Bunuel on the side