Baise-Moi Details

2000

Rated:
50
from 7845 members

Starring	Raffaela Anderson, Karen Lancaume, Karen Bach
Director	Virginie Despentes, Coralie Trinh Thi, Virginie
Genres	Drama, Thriller, World Cinema

Baise-Moi

BAISE-MOI, based on the controversial novel written by codirector Virginie Despentes, is a vivid and brutal reality-based exploration of two women's attempts to reclaim their sexual power. Real-life porn stars Raffaela Anderson and Karen Bach star as the film's THELMA AND LOUISE-style anti-heros. Manu (Raffaela Anderson), a porn actress, is the victim of a violent gang rape, depicted graphically in the first fifteen minutes of the film, that fills her with internal rage and violent aggression. She sets out on a road trip and meets Delphine (Karen Bach), a drug-addled former prostitute with an aggressive streak. Delphine and Manu join forces and begin on a revenge-fueled sexual rampage, seducing and killing with reckless abandon. Delphine and Manu are furious and empowered by their sexual prowess; they wield their guns and lingerie-clad bodies like true professionals. Adrenaline drives their killing spree, set to a pounding punk rock score, and murder becomes implicitly linked to sexual gratification. Directors Virginie Despentes (a former prostitute) and Coralie Trinh Thi (a former porno actress) shot the film in gritty digital video at a fast-paced reckless clip of 76 minutes, heightening the acute sense of urgency and nihilistic desperation of the two women. Despentes and Trinh Thi blur the lines between cinema and reality and delve into the dark recesses of female psychology. By shooting real hard-core sex scenes and employing former porn actresses, they create a compelling and daring film that sets the conventional notions of female sexual appetite on end.

Starring	Raffaela Anderson, Karen Lancaume, Karen Bach
Director	Virginie Despentes, Coralie Trinh Thi, Virginie
Studio	UNIVERSAL PICTURES UK VIDEO RENTAL
Run time	DVD: 1 hr 14 mins Watch now: 1 hr 27 mins
Certificate	DVD: , Watch Online:
Genres	Drama, Thriller, World Cinema
Language	DVD: French Watch Online: French
Subtitles	DVD: English Watch Online: English
Released	DVD: 24 Mar 2003 Watch now: 08 Apr 2009 Production year: 2000
Watch now	Subscribe and watch this as part of an unlimited package.
Format	DVD

Critics' reviews of Baise-Moi
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This angry, aggressive film explores female empowerment in terms of an equal right to revel in guilt-free sex and perform random acts of violence. It's a reasonable enough premise, particularly as Karen Bach and Raffaëla Anderson embark on their spree partly as a reaction to Anderson's rape. But while co-directors Virginie Despentes and Coralie Trinh Thi employ a rigorously grungy style to deglamorise the duo's brutal amorality (a tactic that is reinforced by the superficial characterisation of their victims), they also refuse to examine their motives, with the result that their actions become increasingly gratuitous and, therefore, less political or potent.
- Radio Times
- Posted 08 Oct 2007
Most helpful member's review of Baise-Moi
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46 out of 51 people found this review helpful

Which side are you on?

This film produced a storm of controversy when first released (excellently documented by the way in the DVD extras). Baise-Moi will almost certainly split the viewing public. It is a film you will either love or hate. Personally I loved the film for its gritty reality and the questions that it asked of me. Baise-Moi is a simple enough story. Two girls meeting unexpectedly and going on a murderous and lustful road trip. But Baise-Moi also has a certain innocence about it. This is surprising when you consider that there is graphic sex and violence in this film. However, the innocence comes from the way in which the film was made (on digital video). Essentially the film asks which is the real pornography? Sex or violence? Or perhaps it is a mixture of both. It also examines issues of gender and of the punk revolution that was taking place in France at the time. Of course some of the violence is pointless, but perhaps the point of it. Be warned the film is extremely graphic in its depiction of sex and anyone who is offended by actual penetration should steer clear of this film. But I do think they are important in context of the film. Actually the whole film is asking us if it is possible for a violent film to incite violence and consequently Baise-Moi is an important film in cinematic history
- - Stuart Glossop from Leeds England
  - Posted 10 Apr 2004 14:02
Most recent members' review of Baise-Moi
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4 out of 5 people found this review helpful

Porn with plot

Take Thelma and Louise, remove any form of redemptive traits along with any semblance of characterisation, motivation, add some porn, and you get Baise Moi.

I suppose what the director was after was to set out to shock, hence the casting of two former porn actresses in the leads, but as doesn't possess the basics of writing skills he fails. I'm no prude but if I want to watch porn I'll rent a porn movie not something masquerading as drama. It's also extremely violent but instead of shock brings numbness and boredom.

If you're looking for a film that is ultra violent yet has something to say about its very theme avoid this and rent 'Irreversible' instead. If you're looking for porn avoid this and rent one of the numerous porn titles available, and if you're looking for an empowering story about women rent Thelma and Louise.
- - Alfsda from Devon
  - Posted 29 Feb 2004 16:25
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