French Sex Murders

French Sex Murders serves as a captivating and provocative offering from the 1970s era of European exploitation cinema. Directed by Ferdinando Merighi, the movie released in 1972, showcases an engaging storyline with significant adult themes - intertwined with elements of spectacular horror, crafting a classic giallo film. Notable for its impressive star-studded cast including Anita Ekberg, Rosalba Neri, and Evelyne Kraft, French Sex Murders conjures an atmosphere that feels hard-boiled, seedy, and distinctly surreal.

Set against the backdrop of Paris's nightlife, the story takes on a thrilling narrative style, revolving around the happenings at a seedy high-end brothel and the consequential chaos that ensues. This house of ill repute is the epicenter of a tale characterized by seduction, greed, deceit, and murder, seeing the involvement of a variety of harrowing characters, each engaging in their own subordinate plots of intrigue and debauchery.

Anita Ekberg, a prominent star of European cinema, plays Inspector Fontaine, a dogged detective tasked with solving a series of heinous crimes. Meanwhile, Rosalba Neri, known for her performances in femme fatale roles, essays the part of the exotic dancer and prostitute Marianne, adding depth and complexity to a character that lures viewers into the compendious narrative complexity. Evelyne Kraft delivers a significant performance, convincingly portraying a character caught in the immoral world, attempting to maintain a fragile balance.

The initial narrative kicks off with a murder at the hands of Antoine Gottvalles, whose removal is motivated by a dispute over a beautiful courtesan named Marianne. However, the suspect -

Gottvalles after fleeing the crime scene, dies in a motorcycle crash pursued by police. His body is taken by a local scientist for autopsy, and suddenly subsequent murders, violently gruesome and eerily similar to the initial crime, begin to occur. This leads Inspector Fontaine on a frantic detective trail filled with twists, turns and red herrings in abundance. Given the hypothesis that Antoine has returned from the grave, as suggested by his autopsy report, the question that the movie leaves the viewer pondering throughout is whether these are simply copycat killings, or whether something much more sinister is at play.

Merighi's deft direction and the screenplay by Marius Mattei form the backbone of French Sex Murders, skillfully weaving a web of intrigue that compels viewers to keep guessing until the very end. The film’s gritty realism is amalgamated with soft gothic tones, set within the lush art fabric, intricate costumes, and baroque sets that remind viewers of the titillating appeal of its genre. The cinematography, primarily employing shadowy visuals and atmospheric lighting, contributes a noir-like tenor to the scenes, accentuating the scope for suspense and horror.

Adding to its dramatic genre bending is the score by composer Bruno Nicolai, a customary contributor to many giallo films of the period. Deep, haunting melodies paired with sporadic jazzy interludes and disconcerting atmospheric tones form a juxtaposition with the presented visual imagery, thus enhancing the suspenseful narrative's all-pervading sense of dread and anticipation.

Despite its core being firmly rooted in erotica and violence, French Sex Murders is not purely exploitative, pushing the envelope of what is to be expected from such films with its well-balanced blend of intense horror elements, intriguing murder-mystery, and quality performances. It serves up a motley of unforgettable scenes, well-stylized framing, and meticulously choreographed violence that commands attention and lures viewers to the edge of their seats.

Packed with suspense, disturbing eroticism, and mystery in equal parts, French Sex Murders is a delight for fans of giallo films with an absorbing narrative, atmospheric cinematography, evocative score, and notable performances. It's a hidden gem in the realms of European cinema and a must-watch for those keen on exploring classic adult-themed suspense thrillers. In essence, French Sex Murders is a stylishly executed, tantalizing exploration of hedonism, crime, and retribution set within a bygone Parisian world.