REQUIEM FOR A HANDSOME BASTARD

Canada, 1992, 93 minutes, Colour.
Gildor Roy.
Directed by Robert Morin.

Requiem for a Handsome Bastard is a Canadian docu-drama. It purports to be a report about a hardened gangster, his time in jail, his escape, the three days of his being on the loose pursued by press, his lawyer, the police.

The film is part of a movement of independent and small-budget film-makers to explore the impact of violence in contemporary society and the contribution of the media. Films range from the Belgian Man Bites Dog to the Austrian Benny’s Video and includes such American thrillers as Bad Lieutenant, Reservoir Dogs, One False Move.

The film focuses on the criminal, offers varying perspectives (via video interviews) of friends and enemies alike. The film offers a portrait of a hardened man with no redeeming features. It also shows his brutality – and tests audience response to him and the visualising of his violence.

The film holds the interest and asks a great number of questions about violence in modern western society.

1.Impact of the film? As documentary, as drama? The Canadian background and perspective?

2.The authenticity of the film, in style, the use of videos, the acting, the focus on the criminal?

3.The structure: the variety of voices, the variety of video perspectives? The cumulative effect? The transition from the perspective of the child to the escape and ultimately to the final violence and the gunning down of the criminal?

4.A video portrait, the audience assessing the character for themselves as well as through the various commentators? The use of newspapers, photos, television reports?

5.The boy, his background, visit to his father, the interview, the response of the father? The suddenness of the escape attempt? The father’s decision to go? The boy’s final comment about not seeing him again?

6.Savoie in himself, the background to his being jailed, his experiences in jail? His behaviour, violence? His reaction to the lawyers, to the journalists, to the police? The women in his life, using them? His mother? The violence in setting fire to the brothel? Heartless – and gunned down? How much did the film offer in understanding the psyche of the criminal?

7.The role of the police, the investigations, Inspector Mahi and his pursuit? Interviews, strategies, the siege, gunning him down – and the violence of his shooting Savoie?

8.Lawyers, public attitude towards defence lawyers? De Palma and his interviews, Savoie, with the journalist? His stance, the money, morals?

9.The journalist, his articles, the exclusive, wanting to interview Savoie, pursuing him? The comment on the media, their interests, motivation?

10.Savoie’s mother, his visiting her, using her? The communications, the bag, her devotion to her son?

11.The women, the background of clubs, prostitutes, striptease clubs? Contacts, being trailed by the police? Tonio and his relationship with Savoie? Henchman, protector? Their going to the holiday house, hiding out, sex, drugs? The women? The siege and their deaths?

12.A case file report, the differing perspectives, the audience watching the material, listening to the comments, evaluating the different perspectives?