If you don’t know anything about the libertines, they were a philosophical group that pushed the boundaries of hedonism further than they had been previously. The emphasis was on physical pleasures (especially those of a sexual nature) and of breaking down pre-existing moral structures. One famous libertine that mostly everyone has heard of, for better or worse, is the Marquis De Sade, whose name gave birth to the term Sadism, which is on view full tilt in this movie along with its buddy Masochism! That’s right, there are some S&M scenes in this movie, and by some, I mean a lot. There is a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of depravity going on in this movie. I felt like I was in a 1970’s Time Square theater watching an “adult” film times one million.
“…there’s about as much piss as there would be on a dive bar bathroom floor.”
I can’t really in good conscience tell you some of the more disturbing scenes that occur in Liberté because they’re downright gross. Just know this, you will see more male genitalia than you’ve (possibly) ever seen before in one sitting. You will see things that you’ve (probably) never seen or done before. All of these things are of an intense sexual nature, but none of it is sexy in any way. It’s all depravity for the sake of it, which I suppose is precisely what the Libertines were into, but I am decidedly not. I’m not here to “kink-shame” anyone, but oh my god, this film is over the top. If you’ve ever seen Salo, then you’ll know what to expect from this, but unlike Passolini’s film, the politics are much more subtle. They’re so subtle and so overpowered by things like women being tied to trees and a man being poked with some sort of trident while OTHER THINGS are happening as well. If you’re into water sports and I don’t mean swimming, you will be thrilled because there’s about as much piss as there would be on a dive bar bathroom floor.
Liberté is shocking, but it is staged as banally as possible. It is filmed as though someone was making a nature documentary, or in this case, a documentary against nature. The costumes (when they’re being worn) are impeccable, as well as the make-up and wigs. I can’t say that I hate this movie, but I definitely can’t say that I like it either. It made me uncomfortable as all hell, which rarely ever happens, so I’ve gotta hand it to director Albert Serra for that. Some people might not find the scenes all that shocking, which means I’m a lot more prudish than I thought, but I am totally okay with that. Try to see Liberté at a festival screening if you want to see it on the big screen because I’m not one hundred percent sure that it will get any U.S. theatrical dates, due to the nature of the film. If you do see it, definitely don’t watch it with your parents, or maybe anyone else at all, unless you want to die of embarrassment.
Liberté screened at the 2019 New York Film Festival.
"…There is a lot, a lot, a lot, a lot of depravity going on in this movie."
