Les mauvaises rencontres

In pornography, there seemingly is no such thing as rape: it existed in Adult Cinema from the '70s, but due to censorship a rape scene in current porn is fudged by having the women implicitly consent and more significantly "enjoy" the forced sex.

Among the earliest Marc Dorcel releases, this made-for-video feature directed by Marc himself features two rape scenes, both of which have the ladies initially fighting against the attacker but ultimately going orgasmic and enthusiastically participating in the XXX action. The movie takes an amoral stance, essentially endorcing the cads' actions.

Screenplay, uncredited, defies audience expectations, perhaps merely to pander to a male audience. Setting is a bar where a married couple (Helene Shirley and Richard Allan) chat while the "bad guy" Gabriel Pontello plays on an "Incredible Hulk" pinball machine nearby (yes, back in 1980 Marvel was already popular in France).

He slips a note to the wife, and subsequently when she's feeling neglected by her husband, she phones Pontello and invites him to visit her. Upon arrival he immediately assaults her and has sex with her. As Pontello is smoking a cigar post-sex, the husband returns early and catches them nude on the couch, and he hits his wife in anger.

Ingenious plot twist has Pontello hurriedly dressing to flee but simultaneously striking up a conversation with the hubby about how bad women behave, and the duo leave together to hang out on the town, leaving wifey helpless.

They go back to the "Hulk" bar and quickly chat up a pair of beautiful blondes: big-name stars (Dominique Saint Claire and Marilyn Jess). But the women turn them down flat, cuing the men to call them lesbians and get angry.

Upshot, after we see a sensual lesbian love scene for the women, the two men break into their apartment and violently rape the girls, who after fighting back step completely out of character and actively help the men achieve multiple ejaculations. Short movie (an hour long) ends after the last cum shot.

I suppose Dorcel and his audience wrote this one off as standard porn, but its embracing of violence against women is indefensible. Apparently the expression "Non veut dire non" never caught on in France.

"Les mauvaises rencontres," translated as "The Wrong Encounters," is a 1980 adult film directed by Marc Dorcel, known for pushing boundaries in the adult entertainment industry. This film is no exception, featuring explicit scenes that blend pornography with a narrative exploring power dynamics and consent.

The plot revolves around Fabienne (Hélène Shirley) and Virginie (Dominique Saint Claire), two women whose paths cross in a tale of sexual desire, manipulation, and ultimately, violence. The film begins with Fabienne, a married woman, engaging in a passionate affair with Julio (Gabriel Pontello). Their encounters are intense and animalistic, filled with raw, uncensored sexuality. Virginie, a young and curious woman, enters their orbit, and her naivety becomes a catalyst for the film's darker themes.

One of the film's most memorable scenes involves Virginie and her lover (Marilyn Jess). In a dimly lit room, the two women engage in a sensual and tender exchange, exploring each other's bodies with curious fingers and eager mouths. The camera lingers on their intertwined forms, capturing the intensity of their passion. However, the scene takes a disturbing turn as Virginie's initial enthusiasm shifts to resistance, her pleas to stop ignored as the scene continues, ultimately ending with her apparent enjoyment, a common and disturbing trope in pornography.

The film blurs the lines between consent and coercion, often leaving the audience to question the true desires of the characters. This ambiguity is central to the film's appeal, creating a sense of transgression that heightens the eroticism. However, it also raises ethical concerns, particularly in the way it handles themes of rape and non-consent. While the film doesn't explicitly glorify these acts, its failure to adequately address the implications of such scenes leaves a disturbing aftertaste.

"Les mauvaises rencontres" is a technically well-made adult film, with decent production values and competent performances from the cast. The cinematography captures the intensity of the sexual encounters, utilizing shadows and close-ups to heighten the intimacy. However, the film's treatment of sensitive themes will undoubtedly divide audiences. While some may view it as a bold exploration of taboo desires, others will be rightfully disturbed by its ambiguous stance on consent.

In conclusion, "Les mauvaises rencontres" is a film that challenges the boundaries of adult entertainment, for better and worse. It offers a glimpse into the complex and often contradictory nature of human sexuality, but its failure to provide a more critical perspective on the issues it raises leaves it feeling somewhat exploitative.