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One-Night-Stand – Nacht ohne Tabus ©2022 Pierrot Le Fou

In the chorus of their biggest commercial hit “Because the night belongs to lovers”, the US band Patti Smith Group dedicated the night to lovers. It seems obvious that the young French director Julien Hilmoine was inspired by this very world hit of the 70s when choosing the title for her debut film LA NUIT AUX AMANTS. When it is released on the German market, however, this parallel is dropped and instead gives way to a title that one would rather expect to see on the cover of a cheap dime novel. In reality, however, ONE NIGHT STAND might not be far removed from a trivial, kitschy trashy book. And the classification in the smut corner, which one might assume based on the revealing artwork of the German DVD or Blu-ray cover, would also be absolutely wrong. Instead, their first feature film, which Julien Hilmoine directed and wrote, is a small, intimate drama that plays with erotic charms, but at its core tells a very personal story.

Here’s what it’s about…

Yoann (Schemci Lauth) is celebrating his bachelor party. At least he did until his friends left him tied up in a bunny costume on the shore of a lake. That’s exactly how he is found there by twenty-five-year-old Axelle (Laura Müller), who rescues him from his predicament. The two still know each other vaguely from their school days. Even though Yoann can no longer remember her name, Axelle and he seem to have a certain attraction right from the start. As they get closer, it is the beginning of an emotional night of confessions and sensual love that is to turn both their lives upside down.

Review

ONE NIGHT STAND tells the story of two people who are at different stages of their still young lives. Yoann is about to get married. The former rebellious free spirit Axelle remembers from school has become a conservative, sated man with a solid but unexciting job as a nurse. His future with a house in the country, two children – a girl and a boy – and the annual skiing holiday with the family is already firmly planned. For Axelle, on the other hand, life currently only offers fleeting acquaintances and unsatisfying casual sex – and even that is limited. In any case, her current situation is not of her own choosing. Her last relationship left traces that she does not want to and cannot accept. Sex plays a big role in this.

One-Night-Stand – Nacht ohne Tabus ©2022 Pierrot Le Fou

Away from highly polished Hollywood norms – back to natural beauty! With her first directorial effort, Julien Hilmoine consciously distances herself from the glorified sexuality usually found in the world of film and instead tells a real story with real people, real feelings and above all real sex. The word “real” here does not refer to the actors actually performing the act of love, as in Gaspar Noe’s LOVE, for example, but to the unadulterated, realistic portrayal of the act and away from the romanticised image of sex we know from Hollywood productions. ONE NIGHT STAND shows physical love with all its physical and psychological components that play a role and influence, shape or even inhibit human sexuality. On the one hand, it is about lust, desire and sexual freedom, but also about inner demons and fears and last but not least about the effects of psychological abuse and sexual violence.

The naturalness already mentioned is a motif that runs through the entire film. This is also reflected in the staging. The camera captures the chamber-play-like setting with grainy images and the authentic look almost like a documentary, which is underlined by the complete lack of background music. The dialogues between the two protagonists about their worldly problems, love and sexual preferences feel just as genuine and unadulterated as the production. Last but not least, it is Laura Muller and Schemci Lauth in the main and at the same time only roles that lend authenticity to the multi-faceted characters Axelle and Yoann, which is partly due to their convincing acting, but also their physical presence. The casting of two “real people”, away from the classic ideal of beauty suggested by the media with toothpaste smiles and size-zero bodies, also lends ONE NIGHT STAND a natural honesty.

One-Night-Stand – Nacht ohne Tabus ©2022 Pierrot Le Fou

Despite all the praise, however, the erotic drama also has a few shortcomings that significantly diminish the viewing pleasure. The fact that ONE NIGHT STAND has no clear plot may not be a problem in principle. Film history has proven countless times that it can be more than sufficient to capture a snapshot or a certain attitude to life and capture it on celluloid. Often a story about an everyday situation tells more than an entire novel. In the case of ONE NIGHT STAND, unfortunately, the narrative keeps getting lost in repetitive sequences of scenes and treads water for a long time, especially in the middle section. In conjunction with the unexciting staging and the accompanying lack of cinematic show value, this noticeably strains the audience’s patience over time.

One-Night-Stand – Nacht ohne Tabus ©2022 Pierrot Le Fou

Now, as already mentioned, the characters are written in a comprehensible way, but they are never deep enough for the viewer to form a real bond with them, because the whole plot revolves around these two characters. Yoann’s motives in particular remain rather vague for long stretches. Sure, the doubts that arise shortly before the wedding are understandable, and his relationship with Axelle can be explained with genuine affection, physical desire and selfless helpfulness – but this doesn’t change the fact that he remains at heart an only partially sympathetic cheater. However, this does not change the palpable sexual attraction and above all the believable affection for each other that the two actors convey. It is difficult to work out at this point exactly what the reason is that this erotic tension does not want to be transferred to the audience. A much more effective example here is LA VIE D’ADÈLE – CHAPITRES 1 ET 2, which also comes from France, but which also plays in a completely different league from ONE NIGHT STAND.

Conclusion

The night belongs to the lovers. With her directorial debut, French director Julien Hilmoine creates a refreshingly honest and authentic contrast to the widely romanticised portrayal of sex in Hollywood. ONE NIGHT STAND is much more than just a film about lust and sexual desire. Even though physical love runs through the plot like a red thread, the actual act is only an accessory to fathom the inner life of its two protagonists. Unfortunately, the indie drama lacks the emotional depth in the decisive moments to really captivate its audience. The French film is certainly worth seeing.

How did you like the movie?
(8 Bewertungen, Durchschnitt: 7,50 von 10)

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