Based upon the long-banned novel by Henry Miller and featuring a soundtrack by Country Joe McDonald, Quiet Days In Clichy is considered to be the most daring film adaptation ever of one of the most controversial authors in history.
In May of 1970, the United States Government seized the only English-language prints of this movie on charges of obscenity. It was ultimately cleared in Federal Court, but the film mysteriously disappeared shortly after its release. Now more than 50 years later, a restoration has appeared from Blue Underground.
Joey (Paul Valjean) is an American writer. Carl (Joey Wayne Rodda) is his European friend. Most of the film is about their lack of money yet easy availability of women of all ages and situations, from sex workers to underage girls and married women who have lost their husbands.
Directed by Jens Jorgen Thorsen -- who courted controversy over sex much in the same way as Miller -- this is a gorgeous black and white film that while not outright pornography has the same story beats, as it moves from one sex scene to another. It's definitely something worth seeing, but by no means expect gorgeous looking lovemaking. It's down and dirty real life with all the mess that means.
I did really enjoy how Miller's words were literally written all over the film at points.
In May of 1970, the United States Government seized the only English-language prints of this movie on charges of obscenity. It was ultimately cleared in Federal Court, but the film mysteriously disappeared shortly after its release. Now more than 50 years later, a restoration has appeared from Blue Underground.
Joey (Paul Valjean) is an American writer. Carl (Joey Wayne Rodda) is his European friend. Most of the film is about their lack of money yet easy availability of women of all ages and situations, from sex workers to underage girls and married women who have lost their husbands.
Directed by Jens Jorgen Thorsen -- who courted controversy over sex much in the same way as Miller -- this is a gorgeous black and white film that while not outright pornography has the same story beats, as it moves from one sex scene to another. It's definitely something worth seeing, but by no means expect gorgeous looking lovemaking. It's down and dirty real life with all the mess that means.
I did really enjoy how Miller's words were literally written all over the film at points.