Name: Anthologie des scènes interdites érotiques et pornographiques de José Bénazéraf
Genre: Documentary
Released: 1975-08-06
Duration: 1 h 50 min
Rating: 6.2
Cast: Chantal Arondel, Katia Bartell, José Bénazéraf

Worthwhile salute to a porn maestro's early career

Jose Benazeraf remains unchallenged (except by Max Pecas, Avis to his Hertz) as France's most important (historically) porn director, and this anthology of key scenes supposedly censored from his early films is both entertaining and educational. Since I've seen much of this material intact in the extant feature films, I'm not sure how much is highlights rather than "interdit" (forbidden) footage.

First segments are devoted to material featuring an ultra-busty and sexy girl topless in the surf. This is identified here as dating from 1961, but is from his 1963 release NIGHT OF LUST. Color scenes set at a waterfall and in a sauna were probably from COVER GIRLS, but didn't look familiar to me (perhaps indeed these were censored).

A lengthy sequence at a vast rock concert from 1963, with Teddy Boy types rioting, is not sexual in nature but very interesting footage. Far more familiar are arousing strip tease highlights from Paris OOH-LA-LA.

Dated 1964 (its release was held up by censors for years) is a scene from JOE CALIGULA, featuring two strippers on stage while star Gerard Blain watches.

A lengthy segment from 1969 is devoted to Jose's quirky philosophical porn opus LE DESIRABLE ET LE SUBLIME. Its title is truth in advertising.

A highlight of the anthology is highly erotic footage from FRUSTRATION, presenting the familiar team of Janine Reynaud and Michel Lemoine, plus some extremely sexy other femmes. This is perhaps the movie's most emblematic example of Jose's approach to softcore pornography, tinged with S&M.

Going one step further is a clip from a hot film about sex on a train. I couldn't identify the film in question (THE FRENCH LOVE perhaps) but based on this sequence it's a must-see.

A brief sequence titled "Le viol" is about an orgy and gang rape by bikers, again from a film unfamiliar to me (maybe NAKED SEX).

Final 30 minutes are devoted to "La pornographie", explicit XXX footage that comes off as merely generic compared to the stylish earlier examples of Benazeraf's work. It's presented in black & white, with many clapper-board shots, resembling out-takes rather than censored scenes, and pretty much displays in strong fashion the decline in quality of Jose's work when he transitioned from soft to hardcore.

French-language cinema, whether in France, Québec, or other Francophone regions, explores cultural identity, social change, and the tension between the individual and society. French cinema is not only celebrated for its intellectual experimentation and auteur traditions, but also its success in mainstream comedy, romance, and commercial entertainment. In Québec, films often focus on questions of language, belonging, and community within a distinct cultural landscape.

Jean-Pierre Léaud in The 400 Blows (1959)

The documentary is a form of non-fiction storytelling that aims to present factual information, insights, and perspectives on real-world subjects, events, issues, or people. Documentaries can cover a wide range of topics, including history, science, culture, social issues, nature, biographies, and more.

Dziga Vertov in Man with a Movie Camera (1929)

Anthologie des scènes interdites érotiques et pornographiques de José Bénazéraf

A compilation of censored pornographic and subversive scenes from the films of José Bénazéraf.

Anthologie des scènes interdites érotiques et pornographiques de José Bénazéraf (1975)

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Anthologie des scènes interdites érotiques et pornographiques de José Bénazéraf

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