Noir et blanc (1986) - film review

Antoine is a young, humdrum accountant who is assigned to a gymnasium to sort out their books.   Initially held back by his reserve and timidity, he agrees to use the gym’s facilities.  When he allows a well-built African Dominique to give him a massage, Antoine undergoes a drastic transformation.  Allowing the sadistic masseur to beat him, he start to overcome his fear and becomes addicted to the thrill of physical pain...

By following the irreversible descent of one ordinary man towards his willed self-destruction, Noir et blanc offers a disturbing, dark study in obsession and nihilistic self-realisation.  The film benefits from its slightly unstructured form and lack of dialogue, giving it an ambiguity which allows plenty of room for the viewer to draw his own interpretation of it.  It is probably this aspect of the film more than any other which gives it its power: the horror we see is largely a product of our own warped imagination.

It goes without saying: this is not a comfortable film to watch.  This is in spite of the fact that the sado-masochistic activity is portrayed obliquely, almost affectionately, rather than being shot directly (something which actually emphasises the sense of shock).  The sombre black and white photography is entirely appropriate for what it undeniably a stark existentialist film.

© James Travers 2001

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