Savage Nights

Savage Nights (Les Nuits fauves), written, directed by, and starring Cyril Collard, is a French film adapted from his own semi-autobiographical novel, about an HIV positive bisexual cameraman carrying on simultaneous relationships with a young woman and a troubled young man. Collard was one of the first French artists to publicly disclose being bisexual and HIV positive; the film caused major controversy for depicting its protagonist continuing an unprotected relationship with a woman despite knowing his status. The film drew 2.8 million viewers in France, making it the year's ninth highest grossing release. At the March 1993 César Awards, it won four prizes including Best Film, but Collard never saw them: he died of AIDS related complications three days before the ceremony, on March 5, 1993, at age 35. Who it's for: anyone curious about a film drawn from its director's own life, released shortly before he himself died of AIDS in real life and won France's top film award three days after his death. Who it's not for: those wanting a comfortable viewing experience, since the film engages with the deeply morally fraught subject of knowingly hiding HIV status while continuing unprotected relationships.