Frontière(s) 2007

Even wondered what could happen if, while on the run after a failed robbery, you seek refuge in a seedy motel in the middle of nowhere and it turns out the motels owners are a family of neo nazi cannibals. No? Well writer director Xavier Gens has, and his film Frontière(s) delves into this scenario.

Set in the not too distant future, with France on the verge of electing an extreme right wing president, riots are charring the slums of Paris. Seizing their opportunity a small gang rob a bank and shoot their way out of the ghetto. Seeking somewhere to hide out the gang stumble across a small motel hidden away in the countryside. Its owners (the above mentioned neo nazi cannibals) happily check in their new guests and soon the Parisian thieves find checking out from the motel a lot more difficult.

Director Gens serves up an adrenaline pumped survival dash of a movie, which certainly owes a debt to American slasher films such as Texas Chainsaw Massacre among many others. Frontière(s)knowingly recycles the various horror cliches - an exploding head, bodies on meat hooks and enough blood to fill an Olympic sized swimming pool, but Gens gives the viewer something that seems quite fresh.

As with other French horror films of the last few years such as Martyrs and Haute Tension, it is a strong female performance that stands out in Frontière(s). Karina Testas's portrayal of Yasmine is excellent, and she is definitely an actress to watch out for in the future. The families dear old demented dad (an unnerving Jean-Pierre Jorris) is another highlight.

Visually Frontière(s) is first rate and while sometimes its disturbing brutality is downright nasty, even a little cartoonish, if your stomach can handle it, this is certainly one ride recommended to take.