The Wild Boys / Les garçons sauvages

The early 1900s is the era of the bourgeoisie, clearly defined roles of men and women, long black frocks, suppressed desire and alcoholic hallucinations. Five teenage boys get carried away and, in a rush of power and ecstasy, kill a high-society lady. As punishment, they are sent for re-education, and a sea captain is assigned the task of turning them into honourable men. They set off on a voyage with one stop on an island. The place is full of tropical plants spouting sweet nectar, but also sticky webs resistant to human power. A paradise where the rules of the outside world do not apply. After the rest, it is time to head back to the ship. But the crew is one member short. The captain's authority is failing, the crew's desire to return to the paradise is stronger, but they are not aware that drinking the sweet nectar for a longer period of time causes more than mere pleasure for their bodies. Apart from the unusual story, Bertrand Mandico's original avant-garde debut captivates especially with its distinctive visual concept.