#TIFF18: “LES SALOPES” REVIEW

Review by David Baldwin for Mr. Will Wong

Marie-Claire (Brigitte Poupart) is a professor of dermatology, researching skin cells and how they are affected by sexuality. She has an open relationship with her husband, so she is able to take part in the experiments with multiple participants. But when a student issues a complaint against another professor, Marie-Claire’s carefully cultivated life begins to unravel.

Les Salopes is an intriguing and frank portrayal of a woman very much in control of her sexuality. Poupart spends much of the Film bare, physically and emotionally, giving a raw and intimately transfixing performance that runs circles around her castmates. But the problem with the Film is that the central conflict does not start until nearly an hour in, and is barely resolved quickly afterwards. A curve ball involving her daughter Katou (Romane Denis, genuine and heartbreaking) should strengthen the Film and its #MeToo politics, but much like other elements here, is barely afforded any time to really develop.

LES SALOPES, OR THE NATURALLY WANTON PLEASURE OF SKIN screens at the following times:

Friday, September 7, 7:00 PM, Scotiabank Theatre [World Premiere] and Sunday, September 9, 12:00 PM, Jackman Hall.