COUP DE TORCHON

France, 1981, 128 minutes, Colour.
Philippe Noiret, Isabelle Huppert, Jean-Pierre? Marielle, Stephane Audran, Eddy Mitchell.
Directed by Bertrand Tavernier.

Coup de Torchon is based on an American novel, Pop. 1280, by Jim Thompson. It is an analysis of the American south. French director Bertrand Tavernier (Death Watch, The Watchmaker of St. Paul's, A Week's Vacation) has adapted the novel to French West Africa in the late 130s. The parallelism between the American south mentality and the French colonial attitudes is of mutual illumination.

While the novel is written in the first person and invites the reader to see the situation and morality from the point of view of the central character, the film's screenplay is more objective. We observe a policeman, oafish in appearance but shrewd inside, caught up in the environment but reacting against it - even to murder and purging the town of evil. Motivations are complex, mixed, even insane. The film is given symbolic meaning with such devices as a blind figure and a priest nailing a statue of Christ onto a cross and raising in the churchyard.

The film has a strong cast, especially Philippe Noiret who was The Watchmaker of St. Paul's as well as Stephane Audran and Isabelle Huppert. The film relies strongly on atmosphere and character drawing. An interesting example of an isolated community in the '30s and moral corruption and values.

1. The work of Bertrand Tavernier? His writing, direction? His insight into French society, colonies, tradition?

2. The atmosphere of Africa in the '30s, the town, the countryside, the isolation, the laziness, sleaziness? The strong colour photography? musical score?

3. The title and its reference to Cordier? The title of the original novel, Pop. 1280? The title and themes?

4. The original as American, a study of the American south and its mentality? The appropriateness of the adaptation to French West Africa? Mutual insight?

5. The atmosphere of the town, the heat, isolation? Survival? Values and morality? Corruption? Low expectations of life? The role of the police, law, politics, the church? French tradition in exile? Racist attitudes?

6. Noiret's portrait of Cordier? oversize, oafish, easygoing? The town's attitudes towards him - even ridicule? The deception of his wife, brother-in-law? The way that he was treated in his household? His compensation in relationship to Rose? Lust, sensuality? Lack of commitment? His stronger interior life? Alertness, superior attitude? His relationship with the African natives - seeing them as human or not? His general non-intervention? His reaction to the pimps, fining them? His discussions with Chavasson and contrast with him? His advice? Shooting the pimps? The effect on him, the experience, psychological impact? His covering himself and blaming Chavasson? The discussions with the priest? Changed attitudes towards Rose, killing her husband? Destroying the lavatories and humiliating the owner? Moving between Rose and his wife? Brother-in-law? His growing violence? Killing Friday? The violent reaction to Huguette and Nono? His making Rose take the blame? His juggling his relationship with the women? Fascination with Anne? The relationship, his writing his confession on the blackboard, her response, questioning? His strengths, cowardice? Sanity, insanity? His being seen as a cleanser of evil, a saviour?

7. Anne as the attractive new teacher, a fresh look at the town and its people? The relationship with Cordier, encounters, liking, growth, visits? The possibilities for him? Their discussions? His writing his confession? Her accepting it? Her suppressing it - her questioning of him? Possible results?

8. The contrast with Huguette and her slovenliness, marital relationship, ridicule and deception? Her attitude towards Nono? The household? The jokes and the scorn? Nono's stories about Rose? Huguette's not believing them? Nono and his retarded state? Huguette's anger? The set-up, money, their deaths?

9. Rose and her husband, his cruelty, her sensuality, slovenliness? Compensation for Cordier? The death of her husband? Cordier's tiring of her? Her being caught in the guilt for her husband's death?

10. Chavasson and his attitudes, policeman's role does justice? Cordier's victimising him?

11. The portrait of the pimps, their brutal attitudes, racial exploitation?

12. Vanderbrouch - hotel, the toilets, laws, his being humiliated?

13. The portrait of the Africans: their land, presence, the French presence, exploitation, racism? The importance of the prologue and the sun? Children at play? Cordier and the fire and the eclipse? The finale with Cordier and the children, the gun, his shaking his head? Reflection?

14. The sketch of the priest, his advice, the role of the church? Catholic traditions? Values, morals? His nailing the wooden Christ to the cross, raising the cross in the churchyard? The symbol of the blind man?

15. The background of war and military stirrings? Anticipation of World War Two?

16. The importance of environment? Time, place? The study of human nature, a man's interior? Sanity, justice, need for order? Grace and its absence?