This is a parody of the French films of the early 1960's that were the equivalent of James Bond movies, OSS 117 also known as Hubert Bonisseur de La Bath. The film satires the concept of empire, the cultural superiority of empire, the ignorance that empire brings, and the cluelessness of great western powers invading or repressing ancient civilizations which are viewed as "primitive." Ms. La Bath is completely clueless, sexist, condescending, violent and just dumb. But somehow he survives and wins in the end, through no effort on his part. He is vain as seen during the mambo dance scene. He also knows nothing about arab culture or Islam...Some of the scenes are parodies of how the earlier films were made, with staged scenes substituting for exterior shots with a movie projected on the rear screen - here he is offered a cigarette but he says, "I don't smoke but I am trying to start." which makes no sense...most people are trying to stop, but he is trying to start ("Idiot!" as the french would say). OSS 117 has flashback memories of his missing and presumed dead partner Jack, and the flashback is very homo erotic, both of them playing paddle ball on the beach and chasing each other and rolling in the surf - get it? He is violent, womanizer, trying to avoid his latent homosexuality - way too funny. I thought this was way too funny - I tried not to laught too loud because I wanted to hear the dialogue (even though I dont speak french) but there was this loud guy in the back who would laugh so loud is was deafening. A must see coming to an independent theater near you! DVD comes out Sept 30.
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