IRReVERSIBLE

Year: 2002
USA: Lions Gate
UK: Metro Tartan Distribution
Cast: Monica Bellucci, Vincent Cassel, Albert Dupontel, Philippe Nahon, Jo Prestia, Stephane Drouot, Jean-Louis Costes, Mourad Khima, Gaspar Noe
Director: Gaspar Noe
Country: France
Language: French (English subtitles)
USA: 95 mins
UK: 99 mins
USA Rated: R for sexuality, language and drug use
UK Certificate: 18 contains very strong violence, sexual violence, sex and language
USA Release Date: 7 March 2003 (Limited Release - Los Angeles and New York)
UK Release Date: 31 January 2003

Synopsis

One of the most controversial and groundbreaking films of recent years. IRReVERSIBLE, which deals with the issue of male violence in contemporary society, caused a media sensation when it premiered at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival 2002, and indeed at every festival the film has played at since. The UK censors have passed the film without any cuts.

Told in reverse, the story opens at the point of Marcus' (Cassel) violent act of revenge. The camera swings menacingly through the dark and creepy interior of 'Rectum', a low-lit cavernous gay club where sado-masochists indulge their fetish. Rage and despair have led Marcus there...the reason for this is revealed when the story regresses back to the brutal attack on Marcus' girlfriend Alex (Bellucci) by a psychotic pimp on her way home from a party, through bleak Paris streets. Back then to the evening leading up to Alex's fated subway route home - a wild and drink-fuelled night where Marcus and Alex's relationship seems strained amidst the girls, the drugs and the pounding music.

Meanwhile their friend Pierre (Dupontel) is anxious that Marcus is neglecting the extraordinarily beautiful Alex. It is clear that he and Alex were also lovers in the past and Pierre's love for her has remained strong. Before the party the three of them joke together on the metro about their shared sexual pasts before finally sweeping back through the intimacies of Marcus and Alex's relationship where we witness an extraordinary love affair as yet untouched by the evils of the irreversible horrors that await them.

At once disturbing and hypnotic, IRReVERSIBLE will stay with you forever.