Heading South

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Heading South ★★★ Vers le Sud 2005

French pic set in the late ‘70s tells the story of three women “of a certain age,” as the euphemism goes, who travel to an accommodating beachside resort in Haiti to satisfy their stillburning sexual needs. Each woman has her own backstory and reason for seeking out the pleasures of a more-than-willing local teenager, and each take a turn explaining this frankly and directly to the camera. The wretched conditions and dangers of life for the locals are shown in frightening, sharp contrast to the self-indulgence of the foreigners. Veteran French director Laurent Cantet elicits excellent performances from cast, most notably Charlotte Rampling as queen bee Ellen. Based on short stories by Haitian writer Dany Laferriere. 105m/C DVD . CA FR Charlotte Rampling, Karen Young, Louise Portal, Menothy Cesar, Lys Ambroise, Jackenson Pierre Olmo Diaz, Wilfried Paul; D: Laurent Cantet; W: Laurent Cantet, Robin Campillo; C: Pierre Milon.