Synopsis
An inspired rendering of Jim Thompson’s pulp novel Pop. 1280, Bertrand Tavernier’s Coup de torchon (Clean Slate) deftly transplants the story of an inept police chief turned heartless killer and his scrappy mistress from the American South to French West Africa. Featuring pitch-perfect performances by Philippe Noiret and Isabelle Huppert, this striking neonoir straddles the line between violence and lyricism with dark humor and visual elegance.
Cast
| Lucien Cordier | Philippe Noiret |
| Rose Marcaillou | Isabelle Huppert |
| Huguette Cordier | Stéphane Audran |
| Le Peron | Jean-Pierre Marielle |
| Nono | Eddy Mitchell |
| Marcel Chavasson | Guy Marchand |
| Anne | Irene Skobline |
Credits
| Director | Bertrand Tavernier |
| Executive producer | Adolphe Viezzi |
| Screenplay | Jean Aurenche and Bertrand Tavernier |
| Based on the novel by | Jim Thompson |
| Art direction | Alexandre Trauner |
| Cinematography | Pierre-William Glenn |
| Editing | Armand Psenny |
| Sound | Michel Desrois |
| Music | Philippe Sarde |
Disc Features
- Luminous new 16×9-enhanced digital transfer, approved by director Bertrand Tavernier
- Exclusive video interview with Bertrand Tavernier
- An alternate ending
- U.S. theatrical trailer
- New and improved English subtitle translation
- Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition
From the Current
Coup de torchon
by May 12, 2001With equal touches of Kafka, Genet, and Beckett, director Bertrand Tavernier’s brilliant adaptation of Jim Thompson’s 1964 pulp paperback Pop. 1280 takes place in an ethical No Man’s Land. Thompson novels are all harrowing studies in amorality, tales in which we are forced to identify with...
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