de Patrick (Patrick) is a brilliant expression of ordinary people living real naturism. This movie depicts naturism and those who practice the naturist way of life like real human beings. This is in stark contrast to the way that naturists are often portrayed as social oddities in mainstream film and media. The naturists in this film laugh and cry. They argue and compete. They cheat and are hurt and yes they have sex. Though sexual expression is a private matter not public exhibition as some would have you believe.
That honest expression of human existence where naturism and its accompanying social nudity is coincidental is the beauty of this film. The characters are presented in a believable human way that allows the viewer naturist or not to relate to them. The acting is well done particularly the lead character of Patrick played by Kevin Janssens
The story is filled with intrigue, grief, crime and though it is billed as a comedy drama it has only a bit of light comedy. In this reviewer’s opinion de Patrick is an authentic depiction of life at a naturist venue. It exposes and examines naturist camp society with its flaws and shortcomings without once flinching at nudity being onscreen ninety percent of the time. Anyone who has ever been a member of a naturist club or campsite will recognize the themes. Cliques, exclusivity, social preferences are all there.
The cinematography is exceptional and the editing well done. There are no forced cover ups and no strategic placement of objects to obscure body parts. Yet the nudity is in no way gratuitous. Simple nudity shot from all angles is just that simple nudity. The sexual scenes reminded my of the sexual depictions in Blind Sex. Real but not licentious. My only quibble with is the cinematography is the use of an amber coloration in some scenes. However, the reason for this as well as a prominent character prop becomes clear at the end of the film.
If you are in for an entertaining suspenseful drama with an authentic depiction of naturism and naturist community then I highly recommend de Patrick. It would be a great way to introduce a non naturist to naturist life with its honest depiction of naturists as ordinary people. This is a perfect movie for a nudie film night. The film has a running time of 92 minutes and is in French with English subtitles. The movie can be streamed on demand from the Alamo Drafthouse web site. View the trailer here and the teaser trailer here
Check out our other movie reviews and the naturist movie database (NMDb) listing of other naturist and naturist related movies. If you watch de Patrick be sure to share your rating here or submit a review on the (NMDb) de Patrick movie page.
