I Don’t Kiss

Pierre moves to Paris to get away from small town mentality. The problem is that he has to make money. Pierre takes a job in health care, but his dream IS to be an actor. Since acting lessons are expensive, he lets an older nurse support him. But Pierre painfully realizes that he is not very talented when it comes to acting. A homosexual friend warns him of prostitution. But what do you do when you need fast money?

Comment:
Andre Techine was editor of Cahiers du Cinema between 1964 and 1967. This may explain something of the documentary feeling in I Don't Kiss! At the same time
I Don't Kiss! feels almost magical. The entire film can be seen as a rite of initiation into adult life.
The main character Pierre is portrayed by Manuel Blanc, who won a Cesar for the part in 1991. The type is very French, somewhat like the main character in Mauvais Sang by Leo Carax. It is a particular mixture of vulnerability, officiousness and pride. Either you fall for it or you feel truly hostile.
The film begins with Pierre leaving his
home district in southwestern France. The goal is Paris and a future as an actor. But that is not the story told in the first place. It is rather the story of how a young person loses his innocence.
The ritual element brings associations to African tribes. The only difference is that in this case we are in one of the big metropolises of the world. There is no social network ready to help a person who stumbles. And indeed Pierre draws blank after blank until he is forced to open his eyes and take responsibility for his own life.
Of all the dangers lurking in the jungle of the big city, prostitution may be the worst. Pierre is in fact warned of this by a homosexual man, played by Philippe Noiret. Despite of this he gets to a point where he sees no other alternative but to sell his body for money.
From this moment on I Don't Kiss! deals with a much greater moral dilemma than the usual complications of the adult world.
Maria Österberg Ben Saad

Orig. titel
J’embresse pas: Medverkande
Emmanuelle Béart, Philippe Noiret: Producent
Jacques-Eric Strauss: Manus
Jacques Nolot: Foto
Thierry Arbogast: Musik
Philippe Sarde: Talat språk
French