Lost over the years, this masterpiece that was dropped by critics when it was released is finally coming out. His title? La Maman et la putain, a film of the river 3h40, directed by Jean Eustach, which has just been presented on the skin classic. Focus on cult work.
This is definitely one of the events of this month, June 2022, and we’re not talking about Marvel or Disney’s new blockbuster! No, this is a black-and-white French film, lasting more than 3 hours and quite eloquent, with a title ahead of Sulfur’s reputation: La Maman et la putain, in Jean Eustace.
This (very) feature film was originally released in 1973, with a ban under the age of 18, with a 4K version restored from national release on Wednesday. This is the first official release of this film since 1982, which has become a veritable cult object as it was rare. Rights issues, blocked for a long time, may even have forced the film to disappear. On the eve of the revival of La Maman et la putain in theaters, here’s what you need to know about this phenomenal work.
Where does the scandal start?
But by the way, why was the film immediately surrounded by the scent of scandal? The first reason is very simple: its brief content and the topics discussed in this film (3h40) of unusual length.
The story goes like this: Alexander, a young idler, lives (and to his detriment) with Marie, the shop owner who is much older than him. He still loves Gilberta, a student who refuses a marriage proposal, which he does in the form of ransom. When he leaves the terrace, he meets Veronica, an intern at Laenek. “ I allowed myself as easily as you saw (…) I can sleep with anyone, it does not work. Marie agrees, though hardly, to share her manhood.
I can sleep with anyone, it does not work
Given 2022, we may be surprised by the ban on under-18s. But by that time, in 1973, even though it was May 68, this brief content, its dialogues were considered raw (the word “Kiss“Used many times) and above all the main themes are disturbing. The film is about free love and the love triangle. There is also abortion, female intimacy and their contraception, representation is taboo, which irritates some viewers, some.
It was this rage that allowed me to write dialogues for La Maman et la Putain
Keep in mind that even before the film was made, its genesis was difficult. A complex genesis that simultaneously nurtured the work and made it what it became.
Les Films du Losange, its distributor, in the press release accompanying the film’s release, sheds light on his director’s comments on the subject: “I was in a difficult period before making this film. Everyone liked my movies. I had very good reviews and none of my films were deficient. But no one wanted to give money for new production.
The only ones who gave me the money, so far, were Goddard, at the end of filming, and ORTF, after much discussion, as they were documentaries, obviously without any problems. This conflicting situation made me angry.
And it was this rage that allowed me to write dialogues for La Maman et la Putain. Dialogues, or rather monologues without cuts, that are collected every day and form the basis of a colossal five- to six-hour film. (…) In order to get an idea of the need for provocation, which was mine, I note that the original title was Du pain et des Rolls.. “
Cannes Film Festival as a sign of provocation of French films
Scandal Detonator, 1973 Cannes Film Festival! During the presentation, the film does not need to stir up controversy for long. Some critics did not spare him, starting with Gilles Jacobs, the film critic of the time, until he held the position of General Delegate of the Cannes Film Festival for many years.
“Jill Jacob does not beat around the bush, hits the film, in the face of its director Jean Eustace, speaks”Not a movie“By”Not a filmmaker“, Together”Non-actor“. He even uses the word”Pointless“Thus he mastered the term, which is heard in the offensive film.
Despite receiving this ice, La Maman et la putain won two prizes, including a special grand jury prize. Keep in mind, though, that Jury President Ingrid Bergman was opposed to that choice that year and found the film. “Despicable“.
He even said in the press that “It is unfortunate that France considered it expedient to present these two films, the most disgusting and vulgar of the festival. Cannes’s other film is Marco Ferrer’s La Grande Bouffe, a feature film in which La Maman et la putain shares the Fipresci Prize.
“Despicable” movie!
As Gilles Jacob (again!) Sums it up well in himself Cannes Film Festival Love Dictionary“Provocative Fire, (La Grande Bouffe) This grand requiem has become a classic of cinema, a smiling study of the physiology of the gut, a visible parable of the consumer community, in all its obscenity and over-considered one of the fine arts.. “
The mother and prostitute also caused an ink leak after two tragic deaths. The film’s costume designer, Catherine Garnier, commits suicide before the film is released. The story goes that he left this post: “The film is elevated, leave it as it isJean Justas committed suicide in 1981, at the age of 42, less than 10 years after the film was released.
A rare film that has become almost invisible
Like any work surrounded by any reference, La Maman et la putain is one of those films that many know but … without seeing!
The work will attract at least 300,000 viewers for its 1973 release. But the film will remain banned until 1981 for people under the age of 18. And only in 1986 did he hear of his first television show, the length of which, with the exception of the movie standard. Facilitate programming for the general public.
His TV shows are counted on the fingers of one hand. The latter dates back almost 10 years, in honor of the death of Bernadette Lafont’s death by the canal. The film is not yet available on DVD (this should be corrected soon).
Only a few screenings have taken place in film libraries in France or abroad. Otherwise, pirate copies have been circulating for some time.
Before the distribution company Les Films du Losange took over the restoration and protection of this film, La Maman et la putain could have disappeared. The rather complex blocking of film rights really prevented the film from being restored and re-released.
Return
This Wednesday, June 8, the release of the film has already been a huge success, with at least 1,500 viewers interested in discovering it in one day. Les Films du Losange has organized an excellent communication campaign to match this cinematic event, in order to revive the feature film.
So this is a completely restored version and even adorned with an erased scene offered to the public. As the distributor states, “This re-release of La Maman et la Putain is only the first and most emblematic step in the long process of restoring all of his work that will be released in cinemas before 2022. 2023 წ. It will also include DVD / Blu-ray releases and unpublished critical works.“
“For a very long time, Eustace’s burnt work was included among the great curses. It was urgent to re-screen his films, again scandalous, always controversial, in any case moving, alive. There is no mother, there is no prostitute and this film continues to bring us to the present“.
La Maman et la putain is currently showing while waiting for the next DVD release.
Top 5 – Scandals in the skin
Source: allocine
Emily Jhon is a product and service reviewer at Gossipify, known for her honest evaluations and thorough analysis. With a background in marketing and consumer research, she offers valuable insights to readers. She has been writing for Gossipify for several years and has a degree in Marketing and Consumer Research from the University of Oxford.
