You and the Night (Les Rencontres d'apres minuit)

Nice to know that even in these self-consciously postmodern times the French film industry is still capable of making ultra-pretentious "art films" without a shred of irony (unless that is the irony). Writer-director Yann Gonzalez, an acclaimed maker of short subjects, graduates to features with this film inspired by the (mostly lost) work of 1920s writer-scenester Mireille Havet. The setting is a spartan, futuristic apartment that is tenanted by people who we eventually learn comprise a virtually immortal ménage-à-trois, consisting of lovers Ali (Kate Moran) and Matthias (Niels Schneider) and their transgender "maid" (Nicolas Maury)—a "gypsy" sorcerer who cast a spell that keeps them ageless as long as they are devoted to unrestrained passion together. Tonight, the three have called for an "orgy," summoning archetypals for play: "the Stud," "the Slut," "the Star," "the Teen," and the Professor and Mary Ann (just kidding about the last two). Little actual sex transpires; mostly instead we have weird conversations, surreal flashbacks, and romantic angsting. Sample dialogue such as "stab me with your pork sword" might indicate satirical intent, but sadly the joke is chiefly on the viewer. Not recommended. [Note: DVD extras include the 2012 short film “We Will Never Be Alone Again” by director Yann Gonzalez (10 min.), an alternate artwork gallery, and trailers. Bottom line: a small extras package for a disappointing film.] (C. Cassady)