A BRUTAL GAME (1983)
A Film by Jean-Claude Brisseau
Jean-Claude Brisseau (Secret Things, The Exterminating Angels, A
L’Aventure) is an auteur often associated with films that are sexually
provocative, risqué and controversial.
In this darkly fascinating tale, Professor Tessier (Bruno Cremer), a
famous scientist, has an unruly adolescent daughter, Isabelle, who
is paralysed from the waist down. From the outset we learn that
Tessier is a killer, systematically murdering children who vandalised
his lab. Tyrannical and extremely controlling of his daughter,
Tessier is also an introverted figure that at times evokes pity. As he
descends into a moral abyss his daughter Isabelle increasingly
opens up to the world.
Avoiding serial-killer movie clichés, Brisseau has crafted a
mesmerising character study, anchored by stunning performances
from Emmanuelle Debever and Bruno Cremer. Brutal, passionate,
obsessive and pertinent, A BRUTAL GAME (UN JEU BRUTAL)
remains to this day one of the most powerful and shocking French films.
"Cinema does not come much more provocative, challenging or incendiary
than this."
4 STARS
THE LIST
"Unflinching and vicious… will stay with you forever."
4 STARS
BIZARRE MAGAZINE
“Provocative... gripping”
ROTTERDAM FILM FESTIVAL
“deeply unsettling”
TIME OUT
Bonus Features:
• “Lessons of Cruelty: An interview with director Jean-Claude Brisseau” (20 minutes).
Certificate: 18
Running Time: 87 minutes
Aspect Ratio: 1.33:1
Audio: Stereo 2.0
Country: France
Language: French with English subtitles
Genre: Drama
Region: 2
Cat. No: AXM604
Barcode: 5060301630264