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Coup de Torchon
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Synopsis
Based on pulp master Jim Thompson's Pop. 1280, Bertrand Tavernier's Coup de Torchon is a sardonic thriller that remains true to its source's spirit, even as it transposes the action from the American South to colonial West Africa. Lucien (Philippe Noiret) is the bumbling police chief of Bourkasa, a dusty outpost in rural Senegal. Badgered by local thugs, Lucien initially comes across as a pathetic oaf unable to stand up for himself. Things at home are scarcely better, as Lucien finds himself harried by his nagging wife, Huguette (Stéphane Audran), who is carrying on an affair with a man she claims to be her brother (Eddy Mitchell). Without warning, Lucien embarks on a nonchalant killing spree, murdering everyone who has ever mistreated him. As he sets about "cleaning the slate," Lucien intensifies his affair with ditsy Rose (Isabelle Huppert), all the while pining for the newly arrived schoolteacher, Anne (Irene Skobline). Remaining above suspicion even as bodies pile up, the seemingly witless Lucien gradually develops a twisted logic for his actions, animating his crusade with an evangelical purpose. By movie's end, Tavernier leaves little room for redemption, leaving the joyless Lucien mired in a moral quagmire of his own making. ~ Elbert Ventura, All Movie Guide

Cast

Stéphane Audran Hughuette Cordier
Isabelle Huppert Rose
Guy Marchand Chavasson
Jean-Pierre Marielle Le Peron
Jean-Pierre Marielle Le Peron's brother
Eddy Mitchell Nono
Philippe Noiret Lucien Cordier
Irene Skobline Anne

Production Crew

Jim Thompson Book Author
Pierre-Wiliam Glenn Cinematographer
Philippe Sarde Composer (Music Score)
Jacqueline Laurent Costume Designer
Jacqueline Moreau Costume Designer
Bertrand Tavernier Director
Armand Psenny Editor
Jean Achache First Assistant Director
Adolphe Viezzi Producer
Henri Lassa Producer
Alexandre Trauner Production Designer
Louis Wipf Production Manager
Bertrand Tavernier Screenwriter
Jean Aurenche Screenwriter
Michel Desrois Sound/Sound Designer
Year: 1981
Runtime: 128
Country: France
MPAA Rating:
Category: Feature

Genre
Comedy
Crime

Produced by
Films Antenne 2
Films de la Tour
Little Bear Films
Parafrance

Awards
1982 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1982 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy
1982 - Best Foreign Language Film - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Scie
1984 - Film Presented - Telluride Film Festival