Stranger by the Lake (2013)

[SimBelm]

STRANGER BY THE LAKE

Release Date: May 26, 2014


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stranger-Lak...dp/B00HW4O1VG/

Summer time. A cruising spot for gay men seeking nameless sexual encounters, is tucked away on the shores of a picturesque secluded lake in rural France. Franck is an attractive young male who falls in love with Michel, a striking, extremely potent but lethally dangerous man. Franck has witnessed this first hand, but his desire for Michel knows no bounds, this is a relationship he must have at any cost. STRANGER BY THE LAKE is a tense thriller set against the secluded back drop of, what becomes inevitably, the most dangerous lake in France.

A provocative and accomplished effort by one of France s most overlooked auteurs, STRANGER BY THE LAKE is Alain Guiraudie s steamy mix of the comic and the tragic, winning Best Director for Un Certain Regard in addition to the Queer Palm at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Extras
Alternative Ending
3 Deleted Scenes
Short Films by Alain Guiraudie
- Les Heros
- Tout Driot
Interview with Director
Interview with Cast
Making The Poster
Cannes Film Festival Special
- BFI London Film Festival Gala Q&A

[aewb]

Great news! Saw this at the London Film Festival last year and will definitely pre order. I hope they use that beautiful poster for the cover.

[rapta]

Nice this sounds really interesting and from the trailer I saw recently I'd really like to see this one. That poster is excellent, I too hope they use it.

One thing I don't get is critically acclaimed smaller films get Blu-ray releases quite easily (thanks to independent distributors who are prepared to handle the task), yet studio films that get similar critical success but questionable exposure (even at the cinema) only get DVD releases (Nebraska etc). Doesn't make sense to me.

Anyway, looking forward to this one. Might pre-order or is it worth a watch first?

[Aunt Peg]

Excellent news about the potential Blu Ray. Count me in for one.

[MacEachaidh]

Originally Posted by rapta

Anyway, looking forward to this one. Might pre-order or is it worth a watch first?

Best wishes to Peccadillo, and it's great that they're even considering releasing a film that probably won't have a broad audience. By all rights it should, and I find it annoying that people shove such properties firmly into a constricting little niche, but that's for a whole different conversation. Myself, I'd be most likely to buy this one to show some support for Peccadillo's efforts. They did a great job with Weekend, and their release of Heavenly Creatures is the best that film has had.

My 2p, though: This is definitely worth seeing, but I'm not sure that it has much rewatch value. In my view, its appeal lies in the interaction between characters while you're waiting for the pieces to drop into place. If you watch it before buying, you may feel (as I do) that there's no need to see it again.

So I guess my question is: what's a purchase worth to you if it proves to be a one-time watch?

[Impossible]

This was a great film until the terrible ending. Also I thought the graphic sex scenes added absolutely NOTHING to the film and were there for no reason other than to cause controversy.

[aewb]

Looks like an excellent set of extras:

Alternative Ending
3 Deleted Scenes
Short Films by Alain Guiraudie
- Les Heros
- Tout Driot
Interview with Director
Interview with Cast
Making The Poster
Cannes Film Festival Special
- BFI London Film Festival Gala Q&A

[darry]

Originally Posted by Impossible

This was a great film until the terrible ending. Also I thought the graphic sex scenes added absolutely NOTHING to the film and were there for no reason other than to cause controversy.

Pretty sure you've said this ad nauseam in another thread.

[SimBelm]

Originally Posted by aewb

Looks like an excellent set of extras:

Thanks for the heads up. That really is a solid set, I can't wait to see the shorts.

[Todd Tomorrow]

Originally Posted by Impossible

This was a great film until the terrible ending. Also I thought the graphic sex scenes added absolutely NOTHING to the film and were there for no reason other than to cause controversy.

The graphic sex scenes where there because it is a film that takes place at a cruising location where men meet to have sex. To be coy about it would have been dishonest and we are at in an age where films don't have to cut away anymore. I don't remember any major controversy around the film, because graphic sex scenes are not considered that controversial anymore. Even with Blue is the Warmest Colour the discussion revolved more around how these scenes where archived, as the actresses complained about feeling exploited, rather than the sex scenes themselves, which where just as integral to that film as they are here.

[Arlington]

I loved the film; to me, there were only two quick shots (ahem) that I would describe as graphic...and the movie would have been just as effective without them.

[Impossible]

Originally Posted by Todd Tomorrow

The graphic sex scenes where there because it is a film that takes place at a cruising location where men meet to have sex. To be coy about it would have been dishonest and we are at in an age where films don't have to cut away anymore. I don't remember any major controversy around the film, because graphic sex scenes are not considered that controversial anymore. Even with Blue is the Warmest Colour the discussion revolved more around how these scenes where archived, as the actresses complained about feeling exploited, rather than the sex scenes themselves, which where just as integral to that film as they are here.

Sorry but I don't agree *shrug

[JackTwist]

For anyone interested in the lossless audio over here in the states, can confirm disc is region free!!

[tenia]

Would you also know if the English subs are forced or optional ?

[Arlington]

The English subs are forced.

This edition also has extra bonus features (and all the bonus features are region free too), including a 30-minute interview with the two main actors (they speak in English), a 16-minute Cannes feature, an (almost) 7 minute "Making the Poster" featurette and the 14-minute BFI London Film Fest Gala Q&A. There is also a slipcover, and the case isn't the extra thick ones you usually get from the UK.

My main question is about the alternate ending....the one here is 4:45, and I notice that the review of the US version here says it runs 9:20 and has "two takes". I wonder if one take is left off this version?

[disrember]

Originally Posted by Arlington

My main question is about the alternate ending....the one here is 4:45, and I notice that the review of the US version here says it runs 9:20 and has "two takes". I wonder if one take is left off this version?

ok so there is two endings, one of the disc and one I have read about.

spoiler alert

1. after calling out Michel's name, Franck and Michel walk off together.
2. after calling out Michel's name, Franck and Michel walk off together and get in a car and drive off.

[GxyExpress999]

Finally, from Amazon UK:

[rybev]

I enjoyed this a lot.
Some stunning scenes of the lake and its surroundings.

I felt the sex scenes added a lot, like the other poster said - it enhanced the cruising aspect and the idea of random, anonymous sex.

I found the end scenes tragic and tense.

[Rockercub]

Originally Posted by Impossible

This was a great film until the terrible ending. Also I thought the graphic sex scenes added absolutely NOTHING to the film and were there for no reason other than to cause controversy.

I sort of agree and disagree. I don't think the graphic sex was meant to cause controversy. After all, cruising grounds were the backdrop of the film. I think it's just part of a more general movement to portray sexuality more openly and completely on film, which I'm totally behind. But I don't think the explicit sex here was necessary either, although I wouldn't go so far as to say it added nothing. The film certainly could have gotten away with hard-R sexuality (Basic Instinct being a good example of a "hard R" rating in the US) and still have been as powerful, but then I'd have to ask to what end? I think most people who would be turned off by explicit gay sex would also be turned off by hard-R gay sex, so it's not like it would be roping in a bigger audience. My two cents, anyways.

[jaaguir]

Originally Posted by GxyExpress999

Finally, from Amazon UK:

Hi,

are the subtitles in the UK version also forced, or removable?
Does anybody know?

Thanks,