The Wild Boys

The Wild Boys, directed by Bertrand Mandico, is a surrealist adventure drama that stands out due to its unusual premise, enigmatic storyline, and captivating visuals. The film was released in 2017 and features remarkable performances by actors like Pauline Lorillard, Vimala Pons, and Diane Rouxel, among others. The French film, originally titled "Les Garcons sauvages," boldly experiments with the film medium itself, pushing the boundaries of narrative, gender, and visual aesthetics.

The film opens in the early 20th century, focusing on five teenage boys - Jean-Louis, Hubert, Tanguy, Romuald, and Sloane, who are embodied by female actors, including the afore-mentioned Lorillard, Pons, and Rouxel. These adolescent ruffians, bred in bourgeoisie society, are rebellious, libidinous, and seemingly without any moral restraint. Their unchecked hedonism culminates in a heinous crime under the influence of a distinctly absinthe-toned debauchery. The act leaves the societal elites floundering, disillusioned by their offsprings' monstrous behavior.

Punishment for their grotesque actions is not conventional. Instead of facing jail or societal ostracization, their punishment takes them far from their comfort domain, tossed onto a reformatory ship under the stern command of a gnarly sea captain, beautifully portrayed by Elina Löwensohn. This captain is no ordinary figure; he has a history of transforming wayward boys into model men using his unique methodologies. Armed with cryptic knowledge and mysterious authority, he navigates the group of boys and the beholder into an exotic journey that goes beyond a mere nautical expedition.

As they venture into the deep unknown, the ocean provides a rich canvas for Mandico's fervent imagination. There are no predictable tropes, and the movie dives headfirst into the realm of the fantastical and bizarre. The boys find themselves on a remote, supernaturally lush island where nature behaves in most peculiar ways. Fruits are eerily intoxicating, vegetation is imbued with sexual symbolism, and the landscape represents a dream-like mirage, a dramatic alteration from its at-sea counterpart.

Their time on the island results in some profound changes. As they acclimatize to their peculiar surroundings, they begin to experience strange, bewitching metamorphoses—both physical and psychological. This transition blurs the boundaries between their juvenile male identities and mature feminine forms. These changes challenge the viewer's perception of gender roles, sexuality, and identity. Their transformation compliments the paradox of the island, which is beautiful yet sinister, liberating yet imprisoning.

In terms of cinematic style, The Wild Boys is an intoxicating vision that combines elements from various genres including adventure, mystery, and drama managed in an experimental horror template. The black and white imagery of the film is occasionally interrupted by the vibrant splash of color, injecting the film with an even more alien and psychedelic aesthetic. The film is saturated with striking, symbol-laden imagism. The fluid, visceral cinematography by Pascale Granel beautifully captures the spectral, dreaminess of the island and adds another layer of depth to the already complex narrative.

The film's sound design plays a crucial role in shaping the viewer’s perception of this strange world, occasionally moving into the unsettling realm with its cacophonous ingenuity. The characters are developed less through dialogues than through behavior, body language, and their rather profound metamorphoses. The line between fantasy and reality becomes deliciously blurred, with the island and the boys mirroring each other's otherworldliness.

The performances by the all-female cast, portraying adolescent boys, are commendable. They challenge the norms of gender-bending roles in cinema and add more depth to the already subversive narrative framework. Pauline Lorillard, Vimala Pons, and Diane Rouxel, in particular, deliver captivating performances - oscillating between delicate femininity and brutish masculinity with ease. Their embodiment of the roles challenges the traditional notions of male aggression and female grace.

The Wild Boys is an audacious cinematic experiment testing the limits of narrative and aesthetics. It is as much a celebration of gender fluidity as it is a spellbinding tale of love, lust, and liberation. Director Bertrand Mandico's ingenuity leads the way, resulting in a film that is as challenging as it is captivating. Unsettling yet beautiful, The Wild Boys is a thought-provoking cinematic journey that is bound to leave viewers pondering long after the credits roll. It can be safely said that it's an unmissable cinematic experience for those who enjoy films that are distinct and outside the conventional box.