STÉPHANE (2023)
3 stars
Arrow Video. Blu ray. 3rd August
This is a weird sort of mocukumentary cum found footage which kind of dips into horror territory.
Timothée is busy shooting a film in a park. He directs a woman with a fake gun. At the same time as helming this tribute to American spy movies featuring two FBI agents, he also doing the making of for his latest “epic”.
Shooting various scenes the meet an older guy Stéphane (Lucas Pastor) who asks if there are any explosions — He offers to make things blow up. To do special FX. He also claims to be a stuntman.
Interested in the camera equipment he persuades Timothée to accompany him to the camera shop as he wants something so he can film himself doing stunts. Timothée’s new acquaintance soon shows he is a bit of a loose cannon. Somewhat crazy he gets angry in the shop.
Slowly but surely Stéphane inveigles his way into Timothée — and the amateur filmmaker begins to understandably wonder just what has got himself into, with this crazy character. Soon he has ditched his idea of a narrative and starts forming a documentary about his newly acquired compatriot.
Is this guy for real or a fantasist, with his stories of the famous he has known and, back of his house, his odd collection of costumes including Nazi uniforms. He clearly is a right nutter…
Tagged as a comedy, I didn’t really find it funny, but it is also so being described a s horror. But is it? The filming style is somewhat annoying though I do have a low tolerance for this type of production. As a sturdy of an eccentric character it works, with Pastor embracing his part. Is it trying to say something? Ultimately not sure it added up to much.
Steve Kirkham
EXTRAS
Brand new audio commentary with co-writer/directors Timothée Hochet & Lucas Pastor, recorded exclusively for Arrow Video in 2025
Eight never-before-seen deleted scenes with optional commentary by co-writer/directors Timothée Hochet & Lucas Pastor
Original trailer and Arrow Video trailer
Reversible sleeve featuring original and newly commissioned artwork by Beth Morris and Collectors’ booklet featuring new writing on the film by Sean Hogan and Jennie Kermode
