The Margin
France 1976

France 1976, “La Marge” (original title), 82 min, colour, French dir Walerian Borowczyk sc Walerian Borowczyk based on the novel by André Pieyre de Mandiargues cam Bernard Daillencourt ed Louisette Hautecoeur mus 10cc, Fryderyk Chopin, Elton John, Pink Floyd cst Sylvia Kristel, Joe Dallesandro, André Falcon, Mireille Audibert prod Robert Hakim, Raymond Hakim pc Robert et Raymond Hakim, Paris Film Productions

An uptight salesman looses himself in the arms of an ethereal prostitute in a doomed attempt at blocking out the dirty business of living. When a pimp asks his new girl if she comes easily, a stern ‘Jamais!’ sets the tone for this headlong rush towards the end of the night… Featuring Sylvia Kristel’s best performance as well as a stoic turn by Warhol favourite Joe Dallesandro, Borowczyk’s most commercial film rivals Taxi Driver in terms of rendering urban life as a seedy inferno. Based on the Prix Goncourt winning novel by André Pieyre de Mandiargues, The Margin was the final film to be produced by the legendary Robert and Raymond Hakim. General Franco forbade Borowczyk to shoot in Barcelona’s Chinese Quarter, so the director shifted the action to Rue Saint Denis in Paris. An eclectic soundtrack features 10cc, Chopin, Elton John and Pink Floyd.