Rhinoceros

In Jean Rollin's surrealist neo-noir 1974 film 'Rhinoceros,' the world of the protagonist, Élie, is one of existential despair, societal collapse, and creeping chaos. Élie, played by Marcel Gottlieb, is a carefree, yet troubled young man, haunted by his own personal demons and struggles to make a living in a bleak, industrialized urban environment. As the story unfolds, Élie becomes increasingly obsessed with Émilie, his beautiful and seductive co-worker, played by Évelyne Brochard. Élie's infatuation with Émilie is genuine and all-consuming, but his lack of confidence and inadequacy in the face of her elegance and beauty serves as a constant source of angst for him. Élie's fixation on Émilie is mirrored by his friendship with Bernard, his boisterous and boastful best friend, played by Alain Maillos. Bernard, a master of condescension, looks down upon Élie with a mixture of disdain and pity. His pompous and self-assured exterior masks a deep-seated insecurity and jealousy towards Élie's genuine passion and sincerity. Despite their opposing personalities, the two men share a deep bond, often engaging in late-night conversations that are tinged with a sense of despair and disillusionment. As the days pass, Élie begins to notice a disquieting phenomenon. People around him, including his friend Bernard, are undergoing a bizarre and terrifying transformation. Initially, the changes are subtle and almost imperceptible, but soon, those affected become full-fledged rhinoceros, with their faces elongated into grotesque, elephantine snouts and their limbs transforming into powerful, horned bodies. As the metamorphosis spreads, society crumbles, and chaos erupts on the streets. People, devoid of reason or humanity, succumb to their base instincts, becoming ferocious beasts that are driven solely by a primal urge to survive and dominate. Amidst this chaos, Élie is forced to confront the dark underbelly of human nature and the absurdity of existence. With a deadpan tone and a penchant for the absurd, Rollin's 'Rhinoceros' is a scathing critique of totalitarianism, conformity, and the loss of individuality in modern society. The film's narrative is a surreal and dreamlike exploration of the breakdown of social norms, as the thin veneer of civilization is stripped away, revealing a world that is raw, brutal, and chaotic. Throughout the film, Rollin employs a range of cinematic techniques to create a sense of unease and uncertainty, including long takes, disorienting camera angles, and an unsettling use of color and lighting. The result is a visually striking and disorienting experience that draws the viewer into Élie's nightmarish world. As Élie navigates this surreal landscape, he is forced to confront the darkest aspects of human nature and the futility of existence. His love for Émilie remains a constant, but it is an impossible and doomed passion, as the world around him succumbs to chaos and anarchy. Ultimately, 'Rhinoceros' is a film about the power of conformity and the dangers of a society that values obedience above all else. As the once-human population disappears, replaced by an endless herd of rhinoceros, Élie is left alone to ponder the meaning of existence and the futility of his own endeavors. With its haunting imagery, dark humor, and profound social commentary, 'Rhinoceros' is a timeless classic of surrealist cinema, a film that continues to captivate audiences with its unflinching vision of a world in chaos.