Overview: Bensoussan (Richard Anconina) is a small-time drug pusher in the 18th Arrondissement of Paris. Being trailed by suspicious patrol cops he takes refuge in a petrol station and strikes up a conversation with night manager Lambert (Coluche). As Bensoussan continues to drop in on Lambert they develop a friendship. But it isn’t long before problems arise for Bensoussan and Lambert feels a responsibility to the the young tearaway.

Slick and stunningly shot by Bruno Nuytten (Possession), this rain-soaked neo-noir was a multiple winner at the French César Academy Awards taking home acting prizes for both leads, the film anchored by their tender performances.

A tale of friendship and revenge set within the fatalistic noir framework, Claude Berri’s Tchao Pantin was a box office smash in France. Radiance Films is proud to present Tchao Pantin on Blu-ray for the first time outside of France from a glorious 4K restoration supervised by Nyutten.

Blu-ray Verdict: Fueling up in early 80’s France, co-writer/(with Alain Page) director Claude Berri and cinematographer Bruno Nuytten pull Neo-Noir atmosphere through a Cinéma Du Look (CDL) filter of dusty neon blue igniting Bensoussan’s moped ride along the underbelly of the city. Dragged away from his dead-end job by Bensoussan, Berri makes Lambert’s confrontations with local gangsters crackle with short, blunt force Noir violence, spiked by the ruby red lights of Lola’s Punk culture rumbling into their lives.

Adapting Page’s own novel, the screenplay by Page and Berri brilliantly scrambles Neo-Noir grit to the stylisation of CDL, via the Film Noir loner getting converted to the trio (and in Lola and Bensoussan cases: youthful rebels) being outcast of society, each stuck in a wilderness they can’t escape, ruled with an iron fist by separate from each of them, the writers brilliantly make Lambert become the center of the group by his tough-nosed actions being driven by a desire to keep Lola and Bensoussan safe, which shatters in a freeze-frame final.

Stomping into their lives, Agnès Soral gives a whirlwind performance as Lola-at first powered by Soral with a Punk thump against any attempts made to bond with her, which Soral curls into compassion as she learns of Lambert’s past. Bringing the trouble to town, Richard Anconina gives an infectious performance as Bensoussan, which sparkles even as he gets in too deep.

Famed as a stand-up comedian, Coluche (who died age 41 from a motorbike accident in 1986) gives an amazing performance in his first serious role as Lambert, thanks to Coluche capturing how the outsider status has worn Lambert down, until the crossing of tracks with Lola and Bensoussan has Coluche crunch down on Lambert with a determination to say, so long. [M.D.]

In short, Tchao Pantin aka So Long, Stooge is a rebirth of a grittier and more realistic form of filmmaking that had one massive merit to it, to take French cinema out of that New Wave rut and start to reflect its time and tell compelling stories that do not simply just rely on existential torments, but on action also. Thus paving the way to the new generation: from Luc Besson to Jean-Jacques Beineix. Which means this film alone is definitely one of French cinema’s most relevant movies.

Limited Edition Special Features:
4K restoration by Pathé approved by cinematographer Bruno Nyutten
Uncompressed mono PCM audio
Once Upon a Time… Tchao Pantin - A documentary on the film featuring interviews with writer-director Claude Berri, novelist Alain Page, stars Richard Anconina, Mahmoud Zemmouri, Agnés Soral, cinematographer Bruno Nyutten and others (2003, 55 mins)
Trailer
Newly improved English subtitle translation
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Filippo Di Battista
Limited edition booklet featuring new writing by Manuela Lazic

www.radiancefilms.co.uk