Stranger by the Lake
Dir: Alain Guiraudie
2013
****
Alain Guiraudie's Stranger by the Lake is far more than 'Agatha Christie with sex'. The plot is simple, a young male frequents a popular cruising beach near a lake looking for sex and maybe love if he's lucky. He quickly befriends a stranger who seems out of place there and a friendship is born. When he witnesses a murder of a fellow cruiser he decides to chase the affections of the murderer rather than report him. This is all very confusing at first but soon comes clear that this is a very well thought out message on the importance of protection. The film is full of graphic sex and explores the mentality of the modern day cruiser that will act as education for those who don't and food for thought for those that do. Everyone can take home the messages raised on relationships, love and sacrifice and well done Alain Guiraudie for making a Gay movie accessible to all but without compromise. The ending is irritatingly subversive but quite brilliant.