"Pigalle" is an ultra-stylish character study, dealing with the criminal element who inhabit the infamous Parisian sex and drug district. Filmed in appropriate garish neon colors, the film follows the lives of four young people, struggling to survive in their drug infested, violent world. The sexy Vera, dances nude in a peep show, while her handsome but unstable boyfriend Fifi, struggles with his ambiguous sexuality, and a fascination with transsexual heroin dealer, 'Divine.' Fifi is looked up to by an Arab boy named Mustaf, and the two spend much time hanging out in the crime ridden streets, scamming and ripping off tourists and 'johns.' The four make up a sort of family, and look out for each other as best they can, as the older, corrupt pimps and drug dealers try to use and exploit them in every way possible. "Pigalle" is a dazzling film experience, filled with life, color, eye popping costumes, pulsating music, crazy and fascinating characters, as well as a surprising amount of nudity, drug use, graphic violence, and all around sleaze. And the four leads are physically beautiful as well, in their own unique way, and somehow likable, despite the poor moral choices they sometimes make. "Pigalle" is a film in the tradition of "Pixote," "Christiane F." and "Mandragora," in it's study of young innocents trapped in an urban hell of drugs and prostitution. I was surprised by the low rating at IMDb, but with only 2 reviews, it is obvious that more people need to see this astonishing film.
Edit: It should be known that the dvd available to English speaking countries is HEAVILY CENSORED, deleting an astonishing 15 minutes from the movie. So many scenes are removed that the story becomes incomprehensible. This might explain the low rating here; if you have only seen this disgraceful 78 minute version then you have NOT seen this film.
