“This Movie Could Never Have Been Done In America”: Gaspar Noé Talks ‘Love,’ Wants 12 Year-Olds To See It

Last night, Gaspar Noé‘s 3D opus "Love" unloaded at the Cannes Film Festival, and in case you were wondering, the film indeed make use of 3D to deliver a money shot straight into the camera (read our review). Noé’s provocations continued today at a press conference, starting with his claim that while he actually doesn’t care that much about 3D, having it helped secure financing. 

"There’s something childish about 3D. It’s like a game. It’s hard to beat," Noé said, adding that it was only three weeks before shooting when it was confirmed he’d shoot in the format, a decision aided by the fact he’d able to get subsidies from the French government if he did. But the mere fact that he was able to make the explicit movie at all is something of a miracle, and Noé makes it clear that it only could’ve been made abroad (as he has done for pretty much his entire career).

“This movie could never have been done in America,” the director stated. “It’s easier to show scenes of sensuality in European cinema. The people are more open-minded. Americans, when it comes to film distribution, can be very square.” Perhaps that latter point is true, but the movie does have a U.S. distributor in Alchemy, who have vowed to “do everything we can to protect this masterful film.” But even so, the company likely won’t be able to do much about Noé’s belief that kids in junior high should be able to watch his movie.