Dao Và Tim Knife+Heart (2018)

Yann Gonzalez's Knife+Heart is an audacious, neon-drenched descent into the dark heart of 1970s Parisian gay porn cinema, masterfully re-interpreting the giallo genre through a distinctly queer lens. It’s less a straightforward narrative and more a hallucinatory fever dream, a visceral exploration of grief, obsession, and artistic expression. Gonzalez meticulously crafts a world steeped in stylized aesthetics, with cinematography that bathes every frame in lurid blues, purples, and reds, reminiscent of classic Dario Argento but infused with a unique modern sensibility. The pulsating electronic score by M83 acts as the film's rhythmic bloodstream, elevating its hypnotic atmosphere.

Vanessa Paradis delivers a tour-de-force performance as Anne Parzeau, a haunted, relentless producer grappling with betrayal and loss, her raw vulnerability anchoring the film's operatic melodrama. The ensemble cast, including Nicolas Maury and Kate Moran, contribute to the film’s rich tapestry of eccentric characters. Knife+Heart is a significant entry into queer horror and neo-giallo, not just for its audacious style and explicit themes, but for its profound emotional depth. It challenges genre conventions, offering a poignant meditation on identity and desire wrapped in a beautiful, brutal package. This film isn't merely watched; it's experienced, leaving an indelible, intoxicating impression.