
Coup de torchon
1981 · Movie · 128 min · ★ 7.0 · 78% critics
In a small French colonial town in West Africa on the eve of World War II, a meek, mocked police chief decides he’s had enough of being everyone’s punching bag. Seeking a fresh start, he embraces corruption and escalating violence, turning the community’s hypocrisy and racism into fuel for a darkly comic, morally slippery reckoning.
Based on Pop. 1280
Also known as Clean Slate
Where to watch
Streaming on HBO Max.
2 hours to watch.
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Details
- Years
- 1981
- Release date
- 1981-11-04
- Language
- French
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Critic score
- 78/100
- TMDB rating
- 7.0/10 (216 votes)
- Box office
- $16,500,000
About
If you enjoy dark comedy mixed with noir-style revenge and colonial-era hypocrisy, this could click, especially if you like Serie Noire or Buffet Froid; Not for you if you want uplifting stories or clear-cut heroes.
Pros: darkly funny satire; strong lead performance; sharp, pithy dialogue | Cons: bleak racism themes; uneven pacing late; subtitles may confuse
Themes
- adultery
- based on novel or book
- love triangle
- dark comedy
- murder
- police corruption
- mistress
- racism
- french noir
- framed for a crime
- public humiliation
- open marriage
- +15 more
Awards & recognition
- Academy Award — Best International Feature Film · 1983 · nominated
- International Submission to the Academy Awards · 1983 · nominated
- César Award — Best Actress · 1982 · nominated
Cast & crew

Philippe Noiret
as Lucien Cordier

Isabelle Huppert
as Rose Mercaillou

Jean-Pierre Marielle
as Le Peron / Le Peron's twin brother

Stéphane Audran
as Huguette Cordier

Eddy Mitchell
as Nono

Guy Marchand
as Marcel Chavasson

Michel Beaune
as Vanderbrouck

Jean Champion
as Le curé

Victor Garrivier
as Marcaillou

Gérard Hernandez
as Leonelli
Directed by Bertrand Tavernier