A cruel, brutal and honest depiction of life as a young male prostitute in Paris. Leo lives in a very destructive existence. The movie takes us straight into life and does not hold back for how tough this life is. Felix Maritaud is fantastic in the role of Leo, and is able to express the despair he often experiences. But he also produces a protagonist who may not be able to change his existence (for reasons we do not know). Although the film is both brutal and intense, it also has warmth and shows friendship in a credible way. I also want to draw the effort to Eric Bernad in the role of Ahd. The relationship between him and Leo is one of the film's best scenes, but also the most demanding to be able to relate to. Frankly, I think the movie shows a harsh reality, perhaps in a closed world for most of us. The director will be praised for making a film that really manages to depict a human being in a merciless world. But the movie is also about that despite a tough situation, it's always the choice we take that has consequences. That way, the film does not produce these people as victims, but as living individuals who choose to live their lives, different from most of us. A strong movie, on many levels. Highly recommended.

In another of my reviews I rated 'Theo and Hugo' as a gay film that was as close to perfection as possible. 'Sauvage' is as good, and objectively perhaps better. It also falls into the gay category. Or does it? As a gay man myself, I hate to say that this is a more widely themed film, but homophobia, which still exists as a curse within our society, will limit its appeal by putting it into what is offensively categorised as the 'gay' niche.

This is a masculine film and it depicts a group of male prostitutes who do not (want to) fall into the gay category. They may protect each other and form fierce ties, but their actual identities are as fluid as water. Leo, our main protagonist is basically gay, and when he loses the love of his life, who is a partner in prostitution, his precarious life unravels towards tragedy. He is romantic and can be gentle, but he is a broken person in a broken society. He did not choose to be broken, but his very nature, faced with the brutality that surrounds him, crushes his health and his inner resources. The ending has overwhelming power, as portrayed by Robert Bresson in 'Mouchette' and 'Au Hasard Balthazar'. This is not about choice, but the inevitability of the pain that society inflicts upon the more sensitive and gentle in our world. Leo's face at the end should move everyone to anger and tears.

The compassionate and also the more tortured aspects of the sexual world he is in are shown explicitly. Some were sickening and Leo was sickened by them. But, elderly gays are portrayed with more tenderness than younger gays, which is an about turn from other gay films, and for the better!

I was reminded also of Bunuel and the opening of 'L'Age d'Or'. The scorpions fight in this masculine environment, and the torturer in the car and the young couple with the monstrous sex toy are a disgrace even to the scorpions.

Last but not least, the film depicts homelessness and the human shame of a society that stands by, watches, and intervenes only when prodded. But like Bresson's gentle donkey Leo lays down his head to (perhaps) finally rest and I repeat, we see one of the most sublime scenes in cinema.

Watched the movie here in Germany yesterday. This is a disturbing and raw piece of cinema. In the world shown here is no love for anyone or at least not from the right person or for the right person. Some very few moments of tenderness and warmth hit you in the heart and you want them to last, to be able to hold on to them, but they are extinguished immediately. With the protagonist we stumble through the world without support, but with boundless freedom, which has its price and is also not romanticized here. The camera really does not shy away from ANYTHING! I say this as a warning. I often felt like a voyeur (in a bad sense) and there were some scenes I could hardly watch. Even for me as a gay man with some experience. But they are also absolutely necessary. Nevertheless, I say that this movie is absolutely worth seeing. Those who can handle it will be moved. The main actor Félix Maritaud is simply unbelievable and doesn´t get out of my mind. Here's proof once again that the most daring LGBTQ films are coming from France. I don't see anything comparable in Germany far and beyond.

Really believable characters and behaviour.

The way men connect abuse and live each other is beautifully explored within this film. Beautiful acting and shocking at times.

The smell and energy almost wafts from the screen.

The ending which if course I can't discuss here has left us with a huge debate about why and what and alternative endings.

This film is different from what I've seen before. Takes me into a World I've visited and left. Will tell a story some will know well and others not at all.

It's a violent beautiful erotic film.

Haunting and quite special.

"Sauvage" or "Savage" is a new French movie from 2018 and the first full feature filmmaking effort for writer and director Camille Vidal-Naquet. It runs for almost 100 minutes and is from start to finish a showpiece for lead actor Félix Maritaud, who is in almost every scene this film has to offer. Looking at the critical reception and awards recognition, this film is definitely a success. But it is also very sexual and very violent, very graphic too, also both taken together, so it may not be that easy to stomach for some more sensitive audience members. But if they manage to, then you're in for a good watch here as it is a solid character study and fits in kinda well too with what is going on in France right now in terms of what some people have to do to make a living, even if the main character only seems to be suffering occasionally. By the way, with some of the contents I found it interesting that this film was made by a woman. Anyway, let me start with one scene from very early on when you only think for a while the main character is seeing an actual doctor, maybe the somewhat comedic highlight here that stays in the mind though as you think back to it and wonder if it's real this time when he sees another doctor later on. It is not just a film about homosexual prostitution, but also about friendship as our anti-hero here has two close friends on different occasions in the film, one who seems to like, but not really understand him and when he gets in trouble again and again for helping his weaker friend, the main character, he removes himself from said friendship. And the other one is really just one who makes use of the protagonist as he needs a partner in crime. Nothing else to add there. i also found it interesting how different the, lets call them clients, were. Some just lack affection and love after their partner died, while other are all about sexual pleasure the way you'd think it is most of thime and then there's even other who really enjoy humiliation in a sadistic manner already in the one scene that may be most difficult to stomach. So there's no holds barred in this movie. It is very raw, very brutal, but also rewarding if you manage to sit through it. And the ending is also fitting really in terms of a character study. He has his chance to get out of the spiral. But will he choose love? Is it love even? It is really difficult to believe with how he treates the man who really seems to feel for him earlier. Or is it just a self defense mechanism? It is all open to interpretation, but I liked it, even if I feel it could have been a better ending the moment he steps into the car with that infected musician and thais would have been at least as tragic as an ending. It's really not surprising you aren't getting a happy ending here. And it is absolutely right as it just would have gone against pretty much everything before that. The main character is very tragic without a doubt. Will he find happiness? Not in this movie for sure. Thumbs up for Maritaud, Vidal-Naquet and everybody else working on this project. I recommend checking it out as it is one of the better, but not best 2018 films from France, my favorite filmmaking country. Maybe especially go for this one if you liked Stranger by the Lake, even if the latter is certainly still superior compared to this one here, but not because this one is bad or anything, but because SbtL is just really really good, especially the ending.

Leo is a 22 year old prostitute, in love with another male prostitute; only the guy he's in love with is heterosexual. He clearly cares for Leo, but cares more about his material well-being, even if it means 'bunking up' with an old man. Leo is different. He needs love, but not forced love. But at what cost? A slowly affecting drama which made me appreciate the love I have. 7.5 out of ten

From the opening scenes you get a sense that this is not going to be comfortable viewing.. But who came here for a comfortable time ? The film is crafted with care, love, attention and most importantly respect. The themes are intense, chaotic and thought provoking giving us a real insight into the life of a gay sex worker. Through out the film there are tender even intimate moments admist the depravity we witness, this is due to the brilliant talent Maritaud who plays Leo, he plays Leo with so much empathy, honour and understanding.

'Sauvage' follows Léo, a young male prostitute, as he 'services' clients, commits petty crime, takes various recreational drugs, passes out on the street, has his affections rebuffed by a fellow rent boy and ignores his medical problems. It is a pretty aimless film, and as such mirrors the life of its protagonist. He drifts through his days and nights, carelessly following the whims of those around him (even following the instructions of a friend to inject sedative drugs into the tip of his penis so a blowjob-giving client will be knocked out and can then be robbed!) Ordinarily this is not the kind of character for whom I could find much sympathy, but actor Félix Maritaud gives Léo a rather innocent, dopey appeal (even if the role does demand he look like he would benefit from a good dunking in the sheep dip). Perhaps because it does not contain a coherent narrative structure the film seems longer than its claimed 99 minutes, but on the plus side there are a few good nude scenes (although I could have done without Maritaud's pierced nipple - ew!)

Seen at the 2018 London Film Festival.