J'EMBRASSE PAS (I DON'T KISS)

France, 1991, 110 minutes, Colour.
Philippe Noiret, Emmanuelle Beart, Manuel Blanc, Helene Vincent, Ivan Desny.
Directed by Andre Techine.

J'Embrasse Pas (I Don't Kiss) is a strong and striking portrait of a young man who leaves his provincial home in the Pyrenees, going to Paris, hoping to become an actor. However, he has had little education, simply wants to get away from home and his oppressive father. He has not made any plans for his life in Paris. After some disillusionment with acting (he has no sensitivity to the plays and has a poor memory), and after working in the kitchen of a hospital, he finally goes on the street as a prostitute.

Manuel Blanc is very good as the young man. Also in the cast is Philippe Noiret as a television compere, a kindly homosexual who nevertheless frequents the street beat. Emanuel Beart (Manon des Sources, La Belle Noiseuse) also portrays a prostitute.

The film fills in very well the hero's background, his farmer brother, his brother in the National Service. It portrays life in Paris, the friendship of the hero with a repressed spinster who cares for her mother, his relationship with fellow workers, with people on the street. It also shows his naivety, the transition from a rather sheltered young man to being comfortable in his life on the streets. However, after he is beaten and raped by the pimp of the young prostitute, he goes to National Service, goes to the sea he has never seen before - and the film ends with his determination to return to Paris much stronger and determined to win in his way of life. The film was directed by Andre Techine (The Bronte Sisters) and has a musical score by veteran Philippe Sarde.

1.The portrait of a young man, the naive young man from the provinces, the journey in early life, the coming of age, the harshness of city life, disillusionment, determination?

2.The Pyrenees locations, Paris, Seville, the countryside, the details of city life? The musical score?

3.The title and its references to Pierre, to Ingrid - and their work, in their own relationship? Prostitutes and their work? The clients, themselves - their control and what they would permit?

4.The structure: Pierre at home, the tense relationship with his family, his mother's grief, visit to his brother, journey to Paris, the experiences, relationships, work, disillusionment? Seville? Patronage? His decision to go on the street? The military service, the ending on the beach? The future?

5.Manuel Blanc as Pierre: age, experience? In the shop, harsh father, grieving mother - and his childlike letters to her? The visit to his brother, giving him the moped? The train journey, the arrival, the taxi being too expensive? Approaching Evelyn and his background as a stretcher-bearer at Lourdes? In the park with her? The hotel, the job and his work at the hospital? Friendship with Said? His decision to be an actor, buying the second-hand book, going to the classes? Not understanding them, Hamlet, memorising the text, the performance and his inabilities, the loss of memory, his not being able to comprehend what was required in acting? The visit to Romain and Dmitri, the talk, his standards and morals, sexuality, homosexuality? Going bowling with Said, the bashing and Said's violence? Seeing Ingrid and her pimp? The meal with Evelyn, the drinking, the return home, her hesitance, the affair? His talking about Hamlet and her disillusionment? Giving him the money? His giving it back to her? The final acting class and people laughing at him? Sleeping on the street and his being robbed? Going to his job, telling lies and being sacked? His attempts at prostitution and failing? Giving his name as Romain? Romain taking him to Seville, the journey, the train, the talk about morality, behaviour, a future? His sudden return to Paris?

6.The world of prostitution, the clients, the money, his becoming wealthy, the bike? Avoiding Romain and hiding from him? The baths? His conditions for his clients?

7.Ingrid and her work, with her pimp, his seeing her, the jail, his going with her, helping her in the jail? Leaving, the breakfast, his sexual impotence? The relationship? The return to the beat, the clash? The pimp, his bashing Pierre, the rape? Ingrid present and grieving?

8.His decision to go to military service, the visit from his brother, concealing the truth from him? Hungry? The decision to go to the army, the discussions with the authority, the tough stances, the training? His never having seen the sea - and his going to the sea? Transition, cleansing, future?

9.His father and his brutality, his mother and her tears, the letters, Pierre's hoping to bring her to Paris? His brother and the farm and the sheep? The brother in the military?

10.The portrait of Evelyn, age, background in Indonesia? Looking after her mother, her mother's severity - the scene in the elevator, taking Pierre to dinner, giving him the room, the sexual experiences? Deceiving her mother? Her being hurt by Pierre's preoccupation with his play? Giving him the money, his returning it? The tense later meeting on the steps of the church?

11.Romain and Dmitri, their relationships, ageing, talk? Romain prowling the streets? Said and his work - and his violence? Romain at Seville, his television work, the interviews? The visit by Pierre? His taking a father figure stance? Pierre rejecting it?

12.Ingrid, her work, the relationship with her pimp, the bowling alley? Her being arrested? Her reaction to Pierre? Her desperation in the jail, demanding to go to the toilet, the refusal? Pierre's help, the meal, the sexual encounter? Pierre's bashing and rape? The pimp and his hold over Ingrid, the henchman?

13.Decisions about life, work? Naivety and experience? The credibility of Pierre's character and his experiences? The film's comment on society?