AmosL
08-11-2006, 08:14 AM
GRAND ECOLE
Amos Lassen
Last night I watched one of the most amazing films I have ever seen--"Grand Ecole". It is a French film made in 2004 and directed by Robert Salis, Basically it examines class, race, social standing and sexuality and how they exert a tremendous influence in the world today especially among those that consider themselves to be the "elite". The plot is so full of twists and turns that there were times I felt I needed a road map to understand what was going on. Yet as the movie neared its finale things came together except for one major issue and that is the role of sexuality--especially same sex sexuality. Only when I watched the extras on the DVD did I feel that I truly understood the entire film. Yet the sign of a great movie is one that leaves you with questions and herein is the beauty of this film. In the section of the festival reactions to the film, the character of the Arab boy who initiates one of the characters into a gay sexual encounter explains how he came to developing his character by referring back to the Greek philosopher Plato and it was here that I said to myself--"Wow!!!!!!!!".
Plato says that the beginning there were three sexes--male, female, and androgen. It was here that man began his quest for the perfect mate--whether it be male or female or androgynous. And this is the plot of the film--looking for the partner that will complete the whole of an individual's life. Like most French art film "Grand Ecole" is provocative and intriguing and extremely erotic. It successfully explores the themes of sexuality, politics and class and it doing so it manages to break free from all restraints and in doing so it turns out to be a gay classic.
Set in a college where the elite studies, "Grand Ecole" concerns itself with the lives of its students. Paul arrives at the school henpecked and lost. It is his journey that we follow as the world of reality enters his over-protected life. Paul is imbued with an air of innocence as exemplified by the way he constantly looks downward and murmurs nervously. Not only does he find it difficult to fit in with his bourgeios classmates, he champions the underdog (a young Arab worker) but also finds he is inexplicably drawn to his handsome and powerful roommate, Louis-Arnault. To make things even more complicated, his long time girlfriend, Agnes, becomes jealous and bets Paul that whichever sleeps with Louis wins the bet. Louis is sex appeal personified and he uses this power over those he comes into contact with.
There is a lot of nudity in this film--both male and female and full frontal with nothing hidden from view. The swimming team in the shower is a scene not to be missed. But the most moving scene is when Paul surrenders himself to Mecir (the Arab worker) and awakens his latent homosexuality. It is so beautifully done that it is almost painful to watch. They are shown surrounded by multiple reflections of themselves, projected by a circle of mirrors which move back and forth until they (Paul and Mecir) are entwined and very full of passion for each other.
The male nudity and sexual themes guarantee a gay audience but the appeal of the film goes much beyond that due not only to the fine performances but also because of the other themes of the film, particularly the issue of social class. The school where the movie is set is a microcosm of society at large and there is something in the movie for everyone to identify with. The interplay of gender, race, class etc. crystallizes and even though all these themes would tend to make the film seem very heavy, it manages to rise above all that and comes across as a sincere and sweet look at society.
Unfortunately I could not find a copy of this movie in Little Rock and ordered it from Netflix. I wish there was someway we could influence the video merchants here to bring in more of the kinds of movies we like to see.
Amos Lassen
Last night I watched one of the most amazing films I have ever seen--"Grand Ecole". It is a French film made in 2004 and directed by Robert Salis, Basically it examines class, race, social standing and sexuality and how they exert a tremendous influence in the world today especially among those that consider themselves to be the "elite". The plot is so full of twists and turns that there were times I felt I needed a road map to understand what was going on. Yet as the movie neared its finale things came together except for one major issue and that is the role of sexuality--especially same sex sexuality. Only when I watched the extras on the DVD did I feel that I truly understood the entire film. Yet the sign of a great movie is one that leaves you with questions and herein is the beauty of this film. In the section of the festival reactions to the film, the character of the Arab boy who initiates one of the characters into a gay sexual encounter explains how he came to developing his character by referring back to the Greek philosopher Plato and it was here that I said to myself--"Wow!!!!!!!!".
Plato says that the beginning there were three sexes--male, female, and androgen. It was here that man began his quest for the perfect mate--whether it be male or female or androgynous. And this is the plot of the film--looking for the partner that will complete the whole of an individual's life. Like most French art film "Grand Ecole" is provocative and intriguing and extremely erotic. It successfully explores the themes of sexuality, politics and class and it doing so it manages to break free from all restraints and in doing so it turns out to be a gay classic.
Set in a college where the elite studies, "Grand Ecole" concerns itself with the lives of its students. Paul arrives at the school henpecked and lost. It is his journey that we follow as the world of reality enters his over-protected life. Paul is imbued with an air of innocence as exemplified by the way he constantly looks downward and murmurs nervously. Not only does he find it difficult to fit in with his bourgeios classmates, he champions the underdog (a young Arab worker) but also finds he is inexplicably drawn to his handsome and powerful roommate, Louis-Arnault. To make things even more complicated, his long time girlfriend, Agnes, becomes jealous and bets Paul that whichever sleeps with Louis wins the bet. Louis is sex appeal personified and he uses this power over those he comes into contact with.
There is a lot of nudity in this film--both male and female and full frontal with nothing hidden from view. The swimming team in the shower is a scene not to be missed. But the most moving scene is when Paul surrenders himself to Mecir (the Arab worker) and awakens his latent homosexuality. It is so beautifully done that it is almost painful to watch. They are shown surrounded by multiple reflections of themselves, projected by a circle of mirrors which move back and forth until they (Paul and Mecir) are entwined and very full of passion for each other.
The male nudity and sexual themes guarantee a gay audience but the appeal of the film goes much beyond that due not only to the fine performances but also because of the other themes of the film, particularly the issue of social class. The school where the movie is set is a microcosm of society at large and there is something in the movie for everyone to identify with. The interplay of gender, race, class etc. crystallizes and even though all these themes would tend to make the film seem very heavy, it manages to rise above all that and comes across as a sincere and sweet look at society.
Unfortunately I could not find a copy of this movie in Little Rock and ordered it from Netflix. I wish there was someway we could influence the video merchants here to bring in more of the kinds of movies we like to see.