In a French suburb a Bang Gang is formed; a group of teens who meet up to party and have orgies. This being an era in which everyone carries a camera in their pocket they share photos from their events online and it is only a matter of time before the news leaks and STDs spread.
Bang Gang is the debut feature from Eva Husson and there is a lot to admire about her work. The imagery of the film is gorgeous and she has coaxed naturalist, and appropriately brave, performances from her young, and mostly amateur, actors. This is an attention grabbing first film but sadly it doesn’t manage to smuggle in any surprises amongst all the attractive naked people.
Once you are over the shock and titillation of teenage orgies there is not much left to Bang Gang. There are some friendships that become rivalries and a sweet potential romance between a quiet boy and a betrayed girl but for the most part the film plays out exactly at you might expect. Lots of fun is had and then people have to face the consequences. I don’t what else to say.
Maybe I am missing something. There is a heavy emphasis on hamsters and train derailment (not at the same time) so perhaps there is some symbolism going over my head? As it is I just saw Bang Gang as a very stylish feature-length episode of Skins. I will certainly keep my eye on the future work of Husson but won’t be returning to her debut.
If you choose to see the film after reading this review then we’ll all know you’re just going for the sex.
Mild Concern 