Principles of Lust

A gritty British Drama that doesn’t pull its punches when portraying a seductive darker side of life. ‘Principle of Lust’ presents an alternative to family, security and an ordered progression to middle age.

Paul is a struggling writer who, for extra cash becomes a piece of video art, filmed floating naked in a tank of water. At the exhibition opening Paul approaches Juliette as she studies his form in the water. They have an instant connection which sees them spending the night together at an after party and after a few weeks sees them moving in together. Juliette has a son Paul agrees to look after him whilst writing his book in exchange for Juliette supporting both of them. Although this is an ideal arrangement for both of them eventually the bubble bursts.

As a writer Paul is intrigued by Billy who has had a book on bare knuckle boxing published and whose friend Hole entertains in pubs as a stripper. Billy’s life becomes more inviting when Paul and Juliette’s relationship becomes less than exciting. Paul is drawn into a life of parties / orgies, pubs, drugs, bear knuckle boxing and the search for alternative highs.

Paul’s journey through Billy’s life brings him to a cross roads where he as to choose between the excitement of Billy and Hole’s lives or the excitement of life with a woman he loves.

This is a film which deals with the darker side of life in a British city. It’s not a glorified gangster film or a drama about the plucky struggling working class normal British fare. It’s a brutal unapologetic depiction of a life which is available in the UK if you would like but it is not, nor is the film, for the faint hearted.

I am pleased that the BBFC have allowed this film to go through without overt censorship as with the recent French film ‘Bais Moi’, however, Principles of Lust is far superior in my opinion as the explicit nature of this film depicts a reality of life available. See it for the nature of the choices made in this film it’s not an easy watch but worth it.

Pip Johnstone