WELCOME TO NEW YORK (2014)

Genre: Drama
Director: Abel Ferrara
Cast: Gérard Depardieu, Jacqueline Bisset, Drena De Niro, Paul Calderon, Paul Hipp, Pamela Afesi
Runtime: 2 hrs
Rating: R21 (Sexual Scenes and Nudity)
Released By: Shaw
Official Website: 

Opening Day: 16 July 2015

Synopsis: Mr. Devereaux is a powerful man. A man who handles billions of dollars every day. A man who controls the economic fate of nations. A man driven by a frenzied and unbridled sexual hunger. A man who dreams of saving the world and who cannot save himself. A terrified man. A lost man. Watch him fall.

Movie Review:

You probably have no idea how controversial this French American drama film is. After all, aren’t we all consumed by news that are closer to home, like train breakdowns, a train commuter standing up for a fellow local’s rights against a foreigner, and whatever events that are trending on social media? Elsewhere in the world, there are other seemingly larger scale happenings going on.

How much do you know about The People of the State of New Yorkv. Strauss Khan, a 2011 criminal case relating to the allegations of sexual assault and attempted rape made by a hotel maid against Dominque Strauss Khan, a French economist, lawyer and politician? Did you know that the 66 year old was the managing director of the Internal Monetary Fund (IMF) since September 2007, until his resignation in May 2011 following the allegations of the abovementioned case?

This ill informed reviewer didn’t know either, until he read up on the case after viewing this movie co written and directed by Abel Ferrara (Body Snatchers, Bad Lieutenant). Inspired by the Dominique Khan affair, the protagonist in the film is Devereaux, a powerful politician who is a possible candidate for the Presidency of France. The film chronicles his downfall when he is arrested after being accused of raping a maid at his hotel.

You see, like what we’ve expected of powerful people, they often lead lives that they don’t want the public to know of. In the film, you see Devereaux indulging in a life of debauchery. Expect to see scenes depicting oral sex and threesomes involving prostitutes, and frequent use of coarse language. Breasts and male frontal nudity are in place as well – hence the R21 (Sexual Scenes and Nudity) consumer advice from the regulatory board. You see, things are not so pretty behind the scenes.

Shown at a private beach screening instead of the official programme at last year’s Cannes Film Festival, this two hour film is not an easy watch. Kudos to leading man Gerard Depardieu (Parisje t’aime, Life of Pi) for taking on this role of a controversial personality. The veteran, a recipient of two Cesar Best Actor awards, a Golden Globe Best Actor award, has garnered critical acclaim for the countless films he has starred in, including several big budget Hollywoodproductions. Here, he fearlessly plays a man who is so hungry in his quest to stay on top, so seemingly indestructible, yet so lonely and is in desperate need of recovery.

Depardieu’s leading lady Jacqueline Bisset (Swing, Save the Last Dance 2) plays Devereaux’s wife, who is based on Strauss Khan’s former wife, a popular French journalist Anne Sinclair. The scenes between the two are achingly poignant to watch, and may leave viewers reflecting on how deeply entrenched in complications we all are, struggling every day to stay afloat to be ‘normal’.

As you’d expect, a film like that will come face to face with lots of trouble. Strauss Khan himself has stated that he would sue for slander following the release of the film in Francelast year. Director Ferrara has also claimed that there is an unauthorised R rated version sold for distribution in America. Amidst the controversies, this is a recommended film if you are a fan of human drama, and the darker sides of human nature that polished Hollywoodblockbusters shun away from. 

Movie Rating:

(The controversial film may not be an easy watch, but its explorations of the darker sides of human nature, as well as the bravado performances by Gerard Depardieu and Jacqueline Bisset are well worth your time)

Review by John Li