Les Valseuses
lundi 28 février 2011
kellina in Favorites, Films, Paris, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld

In an interview with the Italian equivalent of Style, Vladimir Restoin-Roitfeld quoted Les Valseuses as being his favorite film. Based on his book, Bertrand Blier directed the film which was released in 1974. Les Valseuses is French slang for "the testicles" though the film was renamed Going Places in the English version, keeping controversy at bay. This is one of the most famous films from the Seventies and when I discussed it with a few French people I know, their instantaneous laughter and grins made it clear that the film's popularity has not decreased here in France. In fact, it is considered a classic.

French film legend Gérard Depardieu and Patrick Dewaere star as thoroughly nasty delinquents who spend their time doing what they want, stealing what they want, and basically being as self-consumed as can be, all whilst treating women as mere objects placed on earth, or at least in their towns, for sexual gratification. Two of France's leading ladies, Isabelle Huppert and Miou-Miou, also star in this film. It is worth noting that Les Valseuses is full of sex and maybe, due to the dialogue and violence, not ideal for those easily offended.

Les Valseuses image courtesy of fnac.com

Article originally appeared on I Want To Be A Roitfeld (http://www.iwanttobearoitfeld.com/).
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