Sauvage/Wild

I watched this movie on the evening of March 3, International Day for the Rights of Sex Workers.

I felt how bad it was to be abused.

It is a movie that people can watch to understand what sex workers, male sex workers, LGBTI+ sex workers, gay male sex workers and all sex workers in general are going through.

The film centers around a young gay man and his love for his close friend who is heterosexual but has sex with men for money. In addition, the movie shows the sex work of a gay male man and what happens to sex workers.

I hoped the ending of the movie was different, but that's okay. It was a movie that I watched with interest.

Leo is a 22 year old prostitute, in love with another male prostitute; only the guy he's in love with is heterosexual. He clearly cares for Leo, but cares more about his material well-being, even if it means 'bunking up' with an old man. Leo is different. He needs love, but not forced love. But at what cost? A slowly affecting drama which made me appreciate the love I have. 7.5 out of ten

From the opening scenes you get a sense that this is not going to be comfortable viewing.. But who came here for a comfortable time ? The film is crafted with care, love, attention and most importantly respect. The themes are intense, chaotic and thought provoking giving us a real insight into the life of a gay sex worker. Through out the film there are tender even intimate moments admist the depravity we witness, this is due to the brilliant talent Maritaud who plays Leo, he plays Leo with so much empathy, honour and understanding.

I was not drawn to see Sauvage, but did so because a friend asked me. I won't outline the story because that's already been addressed, but I will say that I found Sauvage interesting, moreso perhaps because the director was present for a post-screening Q&A when I saw it as part of MoMA's New Directors Festival. One of the things this film expresses for me is that even though the world seems to group gay people and the gay existence as some kind of collective, group experience, it's really a very individual journey that each person confronts, deals with, and ultimately goes through on their own. The main character in Sauvage certainly has a unique perspective on life and living, and one that I doubt even has anything to do with the fact that he is gay. There's plenty of nudity, sex, and drug use, but none of it feel gratuitous or cheap. This film will be a bit too raw for many, but if you have even an ankling to check it out I suggest you do so.

This is a difficult film to review because it is an extremely difficult film to view. There were scenes when I found myself wincing and occasionally turning my face away from the screen. It's rough, it's raw, it's brutal, it's sad, it's violent and it all seems very authentic. It's the story of a young prostitute who is rather sweet at heart, but is also a lost soul with the need for love who continues to be lost when he finally finds it. The centerpiece of this very, very realistically acted film is Félix Maritaud. It is as bold and brazen a performance as you will ever see. He's beautiful, but ugly at times as he keeps going downhill in a life going in the wrong direction. This harsh film doesn't really have a purpose or a message other than to show you this ugly slice of life. To put it mildly, this is not a film for everyone nor is it a film for those who have a problem with nudity and sex. It cannot even really be classified as entertainment, but it is fascinating if you can handle it. Everyone in this is strong and not a one even seems like they're performing, but it is Mr. Maritaud that makes you care about a character, who despite all, always has an aura of innocence about him. This is the only feature film directed by Camille Vidal-Naquet. It would be interesting to see more of what he can do.