Denis Côté’s French documentary serves up a non-narrative observatory look at beefcake men and women bodybuilders flexing their pecs and endlessly eating, exercising, and talking about their training regimens, following these grunting musclebound subjects in seemingly indiscriminate fashion. While viewers might wonder what drives them to become Schwarzeneggerian hulks, the film makes no attempt to delve into any motivations or aspirations. All of the bodybuilders have their own personal rituals and approaches to the art of being outrageously muscular: some have personal trainers (or are trainers themselves) and practically live inside cross-training facilities and gyms of some sort. One of the film’s subjects pulls 18-wheeler trucks in stunt shows and is a low-level wrestler on the French circuit. Another is a Zen therapist of some kind, shown performing what looks like reiki on his clients. But other than the oddball visual aspects of the film—namely the posing, flexing silent giants—there’s no David Attenborough here to authoritatively guide viewers through the curious animalistic behaviors found in this puzzling habitat. Extras include a bonus short film by the director. Optional. Aud: C, P. (M. Sandlin)
A Skin So Soft
(2018) 94 min. In French & English w/English subtitles. DVD: $24.99. Breaking Glass Pictures (avail. from most distributors). Closed captioned. Volume 33, Issue 5
A Skin So Soft
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