Alphonse Tram discovers his penknife planted in the belly of a moribund accountant lying in a subway corridor. He tries to engage in a conversation with the moribund who rebuffs him. Lost and angry, Alphonse goes back home, in the modern tower where he lives with his wife. She introduces him to their new neighbour, a police inspector. Later Alphonse’s wife is found murdered and her hapless murderer almost immediately confesses to Alphonse, but neither the husband, nor the police inspector seem to be shocked. The three sit down to enjoy a friendly drink when a man arrives and accuses Alphonse of the subway murder. ‘Buffet Froid’ is a wonderfully absurd black comedy that cunningly reverses the conventions of the crime thriller to comment on the alienating and dehumanizing effects of contemporary urban life.
Credits: Producer, Alain Sarde ; director, Bertrand Blier ; writer, Bertrand Blier ; photography, Jean Penzer ; music, Philippe Sarde, Johannes Brahms ; art direction, Theobald Meurisse.
Cast: Gerard Depardieu, Bernard Blier, Jean Carmet, Genevieve Page, Michel Serrault, Carole Bouquet, Jean Rougerie, Bernard Crombey, Denise Gence, Jean Benguigui, Liliane Rovere.
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How to watch
Collection
In ACMI's collection
Credits
Collection metadata
ACMI Identifier
X000291
Languages
English
French
Subject category
Foreign language films
Sound/audio
Sound
Colour
Colour
Holdings
16mm film; Limited Access Print (Section 2)