Let the Corpses Tan

| 2017

Directed by: Hélène Cattet, Bruno Forzani

Main Plot

"Let the Corpses Tan" is a visually striking neo-noir thriller that unfolds over a single, intense day. The film is set in a remote, sun-drenched Mediterranean location where a group of criminals has taken refuge after a successful gold heist. Their hideout, an abandoned and decaying village, becomes the stage for a violent showdown when law enforcement unexpectedly arrives, leading to a tense and chaotic standoff. The narrative is driven by a series of confrontations and betrayals, as the criminals and police engage in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse. The film employs a non-linear storytelling approach, interspersing the present action with flashbacks and surreal, dream-like sequences that delve into the characters' psyches and motivations. Themes of greed, betrayal, and survival are explored through the film's stylized and often abstract visuals, which draw heavily from the aesthetics of 1970s European crime cinema. The directors, Hélène Cattet and Bruno Forzani, use a combination of vivid colors, rapid editing, and an evocative soundtrack to create a sensory experience that emphasizes mood and atmosphere over traditional narrative structure. The result is a visceral and immersive film that challenges viewers to piece together its fragmented story.

Characters

  • Elina Löwensohn plays Luce, an eccentric artist whose remote Mediterranean hideout becomes the chaotic battleground for a violent showdown between criminals and law enforcement.
  • Stéphane Ferrara plays Rhino, a ruthless criminal mastermind orchestrating a gold heist, whose plans unravel amidst chaos and betrayal in a sun-drenched Mediterranean setting.
  • Bernie Bonvoisin plays Rhino, a ruthless gang leader orchestrating a gold heist, whose plans unravel amidst betrayal and chaos in a sun-drenched, surreal Mediterranean setting.

Ending Explained

In the final act of the film, the chaotic and violent struggle for the stolen gold reaches its climax. The setting, a sun-drenched, remote Mediterranean hideout, becomes a battleground as the various factions—comprising the gang of thieves, the artist Luce, and the police—engage in a deadly showdown. The narrative unfolds with a series of surreal and fragmented sequences, heightening the tension and confusion. As night falls, the characters' true motivations and alliances are revealed. The thieves, initially appearing to have the upper hand, find themselves outmaneuvered by Luce, whose cunning and manipulation play a pivotal role in the unfolding events. The police, determined to bring justice, close in, leading to a brutal confrontation. In the end, the gold, the object of everyone's desire, becomes a symbol of greed and betrayal. The final scenes depict a haunting and poetic resolution, where the surviving characters are left to face the consequences of their actions amidst the desolate landscape. The film concludes with an ambiguous and open-ended note, leaving the fate of the characters and the ultimate possession of the gold unresolved, emphasizing the futility and destructiveness of their pursuits.

Hélène Cattet Bruno Forzani Thriller Elina Löwensohn Stéphane Ferrara Bernie Bonvoisin