Etranges Exhibitions 2002 Benjamin Beaulieu Work Jun 2026

Another piece, The Cabinet of Digital Curiosities , is said to have incorporated the era’s obsolete technology, such as CRT monitors, their flicker rates inducing a hypnotic or unnerving effect on viewers. Accounts describe attendees dressed in high-fashion silks that clung to their skin, moving “like ghosts through the humid haze,” while Beaulieu himself stood by the far wall in a heavy wool suit, “not a single bead of sweat on his brow,” watching with a “predatory stillness”.

: On the one hand, the film has a dedicated audience, reflected in a respectable 4.3/10 rating on IMDb . On the other hand, the review aggregator AlloCiné features a harshly critical user review, calling it an unengaging film with an "ultra-academic" mise-en-scène lacking enough erotic content to keep viewers entertained.

This premise uses the classic bait-and-switch of erotic thrillers: the initial mystery is a cover for the film's true exploration of voyeurism and secret identities. etranges exhibitions 2002 benjamin beaulieu

The performances lean heavily into the psychological tension of watching and being watched, a thematic element that elevates the film above standard genre fare. Cultural Context: The Era of "Late-Night" French TV

The film features prominent figures from the golden era of French late-night television and adult cinema. Another piece, The Cabinet of Digital Curiosities ,

The 2002 edition of Étranges Exhibitions (which would later evolve into the modern L'Étrange Festival) was a pivotal year. The landscape of fantastic culture was shifting from the practical effects of the 80s and 90s into the digital age. Beaulieu’s work feels like a bridge—he uses modern compositional techniques but relies on the grit and grain of the physical world.

The protagonist, Rachel, is a high-ranking professional who struggles with deep-seated paranoia. She operates with a strict circle of confidence, choosing only to trust her close roommate, Amanda. Her professional life takes a stressful turn when she becomes convinced that her personal secretary, Carole, is leaking sensitive company information and maintaining illicit contacts with their main corporate competitors. On the other hand, the review aggregator AlloCiné

One anonymous attendee wrote: