We went in the 60th Thessaloniki International Film Festival and we saw the film “Liberté”, by Albert Serra, an independent filmmaker from Catalonia.
“Liberté” is a 132’-long film taking place in 1774, in a forest between Potsdam and Berlin but the lust, which is the main theme, is always currently relevant making the film timeless. In fact, the flourishing of libertinism is appeared in a very tangible way. The title is provocative and creates anticipations, especially because of the historical background and the imminent French Revolution. According to the director, the title is the only provocative element of the movie, in which it is presented what liberty is, nothing more or nothing less. He cooperated especially with non – professional actors (the unexpected exception was Helmut Berger) because as he confessed most actors do not prefer to appear naked. They worked for three weeks, without special directorial instructions, the actors were taking initiatives, which makes the result more interesting as the approach of sexuality is not only the point of view of Albert Serra, but also something collective.
Without doubt, “Liberté” is a hymn to erotism, but not in a “conventional” way. It is about a non phallocratic approach of sex, without arrogant erections and constant penetrations. For the director this lack of erection is another way to explain that at the end of the day nothing can offer ultimate satisfaction. Many kinks appeared on the screen, given in a simple way, without them being considered as something “big”, “special” or “extravagant” in a good or in a bad way, just as a part of the sexual activity, or most of the times as the sexual activity itself. Pain, the humiliation and the voyeurism had a significant meaning while the sexual intercourse left the participants exhausted but doubtfully satisfied.
A dark film, which wanted to underline that everything can happen during the night, a safe place for the audience to feel connected with their deepest desires. A film that radiated Marquis de Sade vibes. A film that you should definitely give a chance, if you want to widen your sexual horizons.
