Film Still

Man Bites Dog

Rémy Belvaux, André Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde

France

1992

96 minutes

Black and White

1.66:1

French

165

Synopsis

Documentary filmmakers André and Rémy have found an ideal subject in Ben. He is witty, sophisticated, intelligent, well liked—and a serial killer. As André and Rémy document Ben’s routines, they become increasingly entwined in his vicious program, sacrificing their objectivity and their morality. Controversial winner of the International Critics’ Prize at the 1992 Cannes Film Festival, Man Bites Dog stunned audiences worldwide with its unflinching imagery and biting satire of media violence.

Cast

BenBenoit Poelvoorde
Ben's motherJacqueline Poelvoorde Pappaert
Ben's grandmotherNelly Pappaert
Ben's grandfatherHector Pappaert
JennyJenny Drye
MalouMalou Madou
BobyWilly Vandenbroeck
Mamie TromblonRachel Deman
Bed-ridden old manAndré Laime
NurseEdith Lemerdy
Rape victimSylviane Godé
Rape victim's husbandZoltan Tobolik
Reporter Rémy Belvaux
CameramanAndré Bonzel
PatrickJean-Marc Chenut
FrancoAlain Oppezzi
VincentVincent Tavier
MotherGina Cotica
ChildRicardo Cotica
FatherPierre Vanbraekel

Credits

DirectorRémy Belvaux, André Bonzel and Benoit Poelvoorde
ScreenplayRémy Belvaux, André Bonzel, Benoit Poelvoorde and Vincent Tavier
Based on an original idea and story byRémy Belvaux
MusicJean-Marc Chenut
Art directionRémy Belvaux
Camera and lightsAndré Bonze
Assistant director and production managerVincent Tavier
Live soundAlain Oppezzi and Vincent Tavier
Sound editing and mixingFranco Piscopo and Clotilde François
EditingÉric Dardill and Rémy Belvaux

Disc Features

  • New digital transfer, enhanced for widescreen televisions
  • 1993 video interview with the filmmakers
  • No C4 for Daniel-Daniel, a student short by the filmmakers
  • Stills gallery
  • Theatrical trailer
  • New and improved English subtitle translation
  • Optimal image quality: RSDL dual-layer edition

From the Current

Man Bites Dog: Cinema of Entrapment

by Matt Zoller Seitz Sep 23, 2002

“Why am I watching this?” The question comes up whenever an otherwise reasonable person watches a sordid character do horrible things. You want to look away, but you can’t, or won’t. Maybe you do look away for a time—but then you look back. That, in a nutshell, is the...

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CRITERION COLLECTION RELEASE OF MAN BITES DOG

6 posts by 5 people updated 6 months ago

Available Editions

165_man-bites_w128 Add to Cart

DVD

1 Disc

SRP: $29.95

Criterion Store price

$23.96