Haiti, one of the poorest countries in the world attracts a special kind of sexual tourism. It doesn't involve men looking for kinky sex, or men looking for women, instead it is mainly older women who like to spend some time with the young men they met at the beaches of the different resorts they patronize. The sex is an adventure as well as something they could well afford. After all, the young men these women seek are flattered by the white women that love to have a little time with them while on vacation.
Helen, a repeat visitor, has claimed for her stay the services of the handsome, slim, and charming Legba. Helen, a college professor back in the States, figures in Boston she could only aspire to have sex with older men who are cheating their wives. Here at the resort, she has picked the cream of the crop for her amusement during her summer vacation. Little prepares her to see someone else take claim of Legba, who she regards as her personal property.
Brenda, a woman from Savannah, arrives at the resort, as the story unfolds. Having been there before with her husband, she had met Legba; they had sex and the young man has made her come for more, not knowing she is stepping on someone's territory. Helen, in spite of her welcoming gesture, realizes she is competing with Brenda for the same young man.
Legba and his friends are ubiquitous in other parts of the Caribbean resorts where they tend to go in search of adventure and a bit of money so they can have nice clothes that most of the time are given to them by the tourists. Legba, or his friends, are never accepted to eat at the restaurant, as it's made clear to Brenda by Albert, the hotel manager, who considers them a plague he rather do away with.
Haiti was ruled at the time by Francois Duvalier, or "Papa Doc", one of the bloodiest dictators in the Caribbean. His men roamed the country killing left and right. One of the higher ups in the government takes a young mistress, who happened to be in love with Legba. When she sees him on the street one day, she invites him for a ride, but she is marking him as a condemned man as far as the loyal driver is concerned. Legba will have no chance to keep on living after that encounter.
Laurent Cantet, the huge talent behind the camera, keeps surprising his audience. He co-wrote the screen play with Robin Campillo, resulting in an impressive film in the way it's been set up and the rich texture Mr. Cantet gave to the production.
Charlotte Rampling is seen as Helen. This actress is enjoying a second career in France. Ms. Rampling is one of the best things in the film. One can see in her face the emotions this woman of a certain age is going through after she feels betrayed by Legba. Karen Young, as Brenda, is also quite good. Evidently she never knew love in her marriage and she awakens with Legba in the kind of sex she has never experienced. Louise Portal plays Sue, the Canadian woman who is attracted to the sexual atmosphere and the attention from all the poor youths that look for tourists in order to make ends meet. Menathy Cesar, appears as Legba. Mr. Cesar shows why the women love him. He is charismatic and knows how to move. Lys Ambroise plays Albert, the proud man of a good family now reduced to manage this resort.
Laurent Cantet clearly shows why he is one of the most interesting directors working in films today. He has no fear tackling themes other more established men would shun to deal with. His honesty permeates everything he does. This is a film recommended for mature audiences.
Helen, a repeat visitor, has claimed for her stay the services of the handsome, slim, and charming Legba. Helen, a college professor back in the States, figures in Boston she could only aspire to have sex with older men who are cheating their wives. Here at the resort, she has picked the cream of the crop for her amusement during her summer vacation. Little prepares her to see someone else take claim of Legba, who she regards as her personal property.
Brenda, a woman from Savannah, arrives at the resort, as the story unfolds. Having been there before with her husband, she had met Legba; they had sex and the young man has made her come for more, not knowing she is stepping on someone's territory. Helen, in spite of her welcoming gesture, realizes she is competing with Brenda for the same young man.
Legba and his friends are ubiquitous in other parts of the Caribbean resorts where they tend to go in search of adventure and a bit of money so they can have nice clothes that most of the time are given to them by the tourists. Legba, or his friends, are never accepted to eat at the restaurant, as it's made clear to Brenda by Albert, the hotel manager, who considers them a plague he rather do away with.
Haiti was ruled at the time by Francois Duvalier, or "Papa Doc", one of the bloodiest dictators in the Caribbean. His men roamed the country killing left and right. One of the higher ups in the government takes a young mistress, who happened to be in love with Legba. When she sees him on the street one day, she invites him for a ride, but she is marking him as a condemned man as far as the loyal driver is concerned. Legba will have no chance to keep on living after that encounter.
Laurent Cantet, the huge talent behind the camera, keeps surprising his audience. He co-wrote the screen play with Robin Campillo, resulting in an impressive film in the way it's been set up and the rich texture Mr. Cantet gave to the production.
Charlotte Rampling is seen as Helen. This actress is enjoying a second career in France. Ms. Rampling is one of the best things in the film. One can see in her face the emotions this woman of a certain age is going through after she feels betrayed by Legba. Karen Young, as Brenda, is also quite good. Evidently she never knew love in her marriage and she awakens with Legba in the kind of sex she has never experienced. Louise Portal plays Sue, the Canadian woman who is attracted to the sexual atmosphere and the attention from all the poor youths that look for tourists in order to make ends meet. Menathy Cesar, appears as Legba. Mr. Cesar shows why the women love him. He is charismatic and knows how to move. Lys Ambroise plays Albert, the proud man of a good family now reduced to manage this resort.
Laurent Cantet clearly shows why he is one of the most interesting directors working in films today. He has no fear tackling themes other more established men would shun to deal with. His honesty permeates everything he does. This is a film recommended for mature audiences.