A Film by Les Nuls
Alain Chabat, Chantal Lauby and Dominique Farrugia wrote the screenplay together.
Movie
Fear City: A Family-Style Comedy
Une comédie familiale.
A second-class horror movie has to be shown at Cannes Film Festival, but, before each screening, the projectionist is killed by a mysterious fellow, with hammer and sickle, just as it happens in the film to be shown.
Why it's in the Vault
La Cité de la peur is a glorious celebration of absurd French comedy, driven by the unmistakable humor of Les Nuls. Alain Berberian turns a ridiculous murder mystery at the Cannes Film Festival into a nonstop procession of wordplay, cinematic parodies, unexpected detours and gloriously stupid conversations. Chantal Lauby, Alain Chabat, Dominique Farrugia and Gérard Darmon embrace the madness with impeccable comic timing. Its plot is almost secondary: the real pleasure lies in the endlessly quotable lines, running jokes and the film's refusal to take anything seriously. For viewers who appreciate the anarchic comedy of Les Nuls and the similarly absurd spirit later associated with Les Robins des Bois, it is a particularly rewarding experience. Some jokes are deeply rooted in French language and popular culture, but that specificity is precisely part of its charm. A genuine French comedy cult classic, and an enthusiastic four out of five.
— Matty, Curator of the Vault
Atmosphere
Absurd, chaotic, irreverent, playful, quotable
Absurd humor
Quotable dialogue
Cinematic parody
Comic chaos
Contains comic murders, stylized violence, fake blood, crude jokes, sexual innuendo and occasional strong language. Violence is presented in an exaggerated parodic style.
Dans les coulisses
Ce qu'on ne voit pas à l'écran
Claude Berri Turned It Down
The project was initially offered to Berri, who declined; Alain Berberian ultimately directed it.
Cannes Without the Festival
Parts of the film were shot in Cannes outside the actual festival period, requiring the production to recreate the event.
The Carioca
Alain Chabat and Gérard Darmon perform a memorable dance inspired by the musical Flying Down to Rio from 1933.
A Surprise Stand-In
Valérie Lemercier's sister Aude replaced her in some footage when the actress missed a day of filming.
A 25th-Anniversary Return
A restored version screened at Cannes' Cinéma de la Plage in 2019.
Aux origines
Original screenplay by the French comedy trio Les Nuls
Palette
Les couleurs du film
Red Is Dead Crimson#B63735
Cannes Spotlight Gold#D4AA61
Projection Room Black#292B30
Mediterranean Blue#427D9D
Festival Ivory#E3D7BD
Carioca Purple#76548C
Images
