The Iconic Cover of Gaspar Noé’s 'Seul Contre Tous'
A URSS project by Bronwen Steer
We all know how the saying goes, ‘Don’t judge a book by its cover’, but in the world of cinema, where there is so much emphasis on visual spectacle, how can you NOT judge a film by its cover!
In the run-up to a film’s release, bright and attention-grabbing theatrical release posters are put up on cinema billboards which, along with flashy trailers, prove to be effective in reeling in expectant audience members. These mediums provide insight into an upcoming film, with every visual detail setting the tone for the movie, ensuring that if you do go and see the film later, you kind of know what you’re in for! Likewise for DVD covers, your attention will more-often-than-not be focused on the image, but not the words. Often, different sub-genres of films have their own tropes. For example, in horror films and posters, you’d expect to see images of blood spatter, dark shadows and lighting, as well as eerily sinister figures, whereas for a rom-com film, you’d see two lovers in frame, smiling hand-in-hand, illuminated by bright lighting.
With that being said, there was a specific type of film poster which caught my eye when writing my URSS project. The covers of Martyrs, Irréversible, and Frontière(s), all of which belong to the New French Extremity, possess expressionist reddish tone covers, partially conforming to classic tropes of the horror genre yet offering a more extreme interpretation of bog-standard horror.
Theatrical Release Poster for Seul Contre Tous (1998). Credit: https://www.letempsdetruittout.net/
What is the New French Extremity?
The loosely described New French Extremity (NFE) refers to a group of films that are united in their transgressive depictions of torture and sexual violence. Associated with directors such as Gaspar Noé, Bruno Dumont, Claire Denis and Pascal Laughier, the genre consists of but is not limited to horror, thriller, crime and splatter movies of the late 1990s to early 2010s
One of my favourite posters of the NFE is Gaspar Noé’s Seul Contre Tous. The poster is simple but effective, which contrasts the hectic and expressionist style of the film. The bright red background is accompanied by bold lettering translating to I Stand Alone. Its sharp and aggressive font conveys brutalist themes, a stark contrast to the idea of ‘La Douce France’, the sweet and soft side to France. As you might see for yourself if you choose to watch the film, the plot is entirely antithetic to this concept.
Another key feature is the topless Butcher, the villainous protagonist of the film, with a scornful expression on his face. Butcher has his hand strategically positioned as though he is violently grasping the L’Hexagone (a reference to France’s iconic hexagonal shape), as a sign of rebellion and a precursor to his nihilistic and anti-French rampage which develop throughout the film. One of the poster’s most notable features is its inclusion of the numerous themes the film explores. Trickling down alongside the title, we can see themes such as morality, repression and justice, alluding to the film’s true purpose as a commentary of the problems faced by France.
At its core, the poster is a bleak and virile presentation of a disenfranchised working-class man navigating through a uniquely French setting, the derelict outskirts of Paris and Lille. The struggles in Butcher’s life are undoubtedly symbolic of the greater issues at play, both politically and socially.
I hope you have enjoyed this introduction to the posters and symbolism within the New French Extremity!