In a cinematic context often marked by rigid norms, Antonin Peretjatko dares to venture with Vade Retro into unexplored territories. This feature film, set to be released on the last day of 2025, promises to disrupt conventions and offer an experience that is both burlesque and horrific. By borrowing from the codes of French comedies from the 70s/80s, Peretjatko aims to reinterpret these influences through a lens of creativity and boldness, while offering a reflection on the identity of contemporary cinema.
A Striking and Bold Work
Antonin Peretjatko’s new film, Vade Retro, is a true work that shakes up the codes of contemporary cinema. This feature film, scheduled for release in theaters on the first day of 2025, is presented as a quirky and intriguing comedy. Through a narrative that juggles between horror, burlesque, and adventure, Peretjatko manages to provide a unique vision of current French comedy. The film also seems to claim a form of independence from the film industry. By using humor that sometimes flirts with the absurd, the director leads us into a singular universe, far from usual standards.
The Narrative Thread: An Unexpected Journey
At the heart of Vade Retro, we discover Norbert, a vampire with a tumultuous life. This character, played by Estéban, is depicted as an adult of three hundred and fifty years but incredibly shy when it comes to love. Pressured by his parents to find the love of his life in Japan, he embarks on a quest that will take him to Boulet-rouge Island. The meeting of different protagonists, such as the servant Didier, enriches the narrative and adds an extra touch of comedy.
An Enchanting and Quirky Setting
The setting of Boulet-rouge Island, where clergymen, vampire hunters, and crooked doctors mingle, contributes to the overall atmosphere of the film. The carefully chosen visual universe perfectly illustrates the comic and burlesque tone of the work. Through intentionally artificial visual effects scenes, Peretjatko reinforces the idea of a filmmaker engaging in cinematic tinkering. This aesthetic, far from glorious, adds depth to the comedy, turning it into a true act of protest.
Quirky Performances
The casting is also a strong point of the film. With actors such as Arielle Dombasle and Philippe Duquesne, the performances go beyond the norm, playing on an unnatural quality that brings smiles. Estéban, in particular, stands out for his presence and cinematic heritage. Bringing modern expertise while paying tribute to classics, he enriches this wacky comedy with his dynamism. It is fascinating to see how each actor invests themselves in this project, adding a unique touch to their characters.
A Critique of Modern Cinema
Through Vade Retro, Antonin Peretjatko reveals a certain crisis in contemporary French comedy. This film, while being a playful work, subtly critiques the flaws of an industry that sometimes strays from the true essence of art. By choosing to shoot with limited means, Peretjatko illustrates the beauty of independent cinema, where creativity takes precedence over huge budgets. His approach resonates with other significant works of the seventh art, examples of which can be found in articles such as Julia Ducournau and her captivating project or Claude Chabrol and his universe.
Remarkable Aesthetic and Boldness
The artistic direction of Vade Retro reflects the film: quirky, colorful, and full of surprises. The photography by Nicolas Eveilleau, with its saturated chromatics, evokes covers of pulp genre magazines. The visual choices, combined with sometimes heavy humor, create a contrast that makes the work even more striking. Peretjatko succeeds in transforming this aesthetic dimension into a true manifesto against the banality of conventional cinema, proposing sharper reflections on contemporary sociopolitical subjects.
A Comedy Without Taboos
In sum, Vade Retro propels itself as a true punk comedy, audaciously out of step with current trends. Peretjatko’s ability to tackle themes such as racism and the pains of colonization, while maintaining a lightness, is a happy example of the freedom of expression that contemporary cinema should offer. By distancing itself from traditional formats and predictable narratives, it offers the viewer a pertinent and amusing reflection, making this film a must-see.
An Audacious Dive into Contemporary Cinema
With “Vade Retro”, Antonin Peretjatko takes us into a cinematic universe that is both quirky and daring, questioning the established codes of contemporary French cinema. Through this work, he draws from a pulp aesthetic and burlesque humor, singing praises of lightness and creativity in the face of an often-formatted industry. The film addresses bold themes while exploiting the flaws and awkwardness of its characters, in a cinematic framework that seems, at first glance, disenchanted.
The figure of Norbert, this vampire in search of love, embodies this quest for meaning in a world where parental expectations and social conventions weigh heavily. His fragility thus becomes a strength, and the humor that arises reflects a view that is at once cruel and affectionate towards the human condition. The choice of actor Estéban for this central role adds a subversive dimension, while evoking the legacy of French comic cinema with a beautifully calibrated irony.
Moreover, the film stands as a challenge against dominant values and the standards of current productions. Born from tinkering and authenticity, Peretjatko succeeds in creating a work that, while breaking free from market dictates, engages the viewer in a playful and cathartic experience. The blend of genres, ranging from comedy to parody of horror, pushes the audience to rethink their relationship with cinema. Thus, “Vade Retro” is a true invitation to explore new artistic horizons, where failure transforms into comic success, revealing the unsuspected potential of a cinema in search of renewal.
