MovieChat Forums > Ne touchez pas la hache (2007) Discussion > The plot.

The plot.

posted 18 years ago by Delly
3 replies | jump to latest

From Film De Culte:

"Don't Touch the Axe takes place during the Restoration in a society dominated by hypocrisy, the mask of public seeming, and money. The general of Montriveau ( Guillaume Depardieu, Pola X ) falls in love with the Duchess of Langeais ( Jeanne Balibar, Va Savoir ) who lives separated from her husband. She is far from cold to the General's advances, but refuses to submit bodily to his charms, excusing herself on religious grounds. Spurred on by his friends, the suitor decides to employ force and kidnap his prey, even vowing terrible revenge on her if he fails. But success comes all too easily and this time it is the General who flees.

By the time the General realizes he's made a mistake, he learns that the Duchess has escaped to a far-distant convent. He will have to call upon the services of The Thirteen, a mystical cult, as well as every one of his own resources to get her back.

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Rivette fans, if there are any in Amerique du Nord, will already feel the "stir of echoes" in this plot summary. The mystical Order recalls the Russian roulette club in Haut Bas Fragile or even the group of actors in Paris Nous Appartient, the nun theme is related to La Religieuse, and the romantic concept of impossible, thwarted love seems to be Rivette's obsession in his ( physically ) waning years -- just see Histoire de Marie and Julien.

I know Rivette is an admirer of Pola X and therefore understand why he cast Guillaume Depardieu in the role of the General, but doesn't Emmanuelle Beart seem more ideal for the Duchess than the Medusa-like Jeanne Balibar?

[–] bboy5365 18 years ago

I think if Rivette wanted Beart, he would got her. Any idea of a release date? Will this even screen in America? It's good to see "The Thirteen" pop up again.

Jack Edwards

[–] 18 years ago

[deleted]

[–] cheerforRMatFT 14 years ago

YES!!!! The days when a woman/en spurned could just run away to the convent when she:

A.) had a UNIBROW

B.) looked liked a hunchbacked Quasimodo(butt ugly)

C.) was BIG GUT/FAT(as huge as the Baron Vladimir Harkonnen)

D.) was to skinny-poor(because back then some fat=wealth)

E.) was to tanned/dark(back then pale also meant being rich enough to stay out of the sun)

F.) had a FLAT A**!!!

G.) did not have the social connections to be in the best places(i.e. entertainment circles) to meet the SUCCESSFULL MEN!!

H.) has been rejected enough times SO THAT HER SELFESTEEM SLATE IS WIPED CLEAN!!!(present day example: Can I be your FACEBOOK FRIEND??? PLEASE???
reply---HELLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!!!!!!!!! NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!)

I.) ETC., ETC., ETC.,