Cold Water

In a beautifully orchestrated symphony of drugs, sex and rock 'n roll, Olivier Assayas' 1994 film "Cold Water" is anchored by a masterful second-act centerpiece where we travel around a party of teenagers as they dance, smoke, drink, break windows and set things ablaze. It's truly a work of sensual pleasure; a pitch-perfect blend of Assayas' adventurous eye, cinematographer Denis Lenoir's immersive and experimental camerawork and a searing soundtrack of American rock music plastering the visuals (you'll never hear Janis Joplin's "Me and Bobby McGee" the same way again).

At the epicenter of it all are young Gilles (Cyprien Fouquet) and Christine (Virginie Ledoyen), two lovers; him, a troublemaker, shoplifter and amateur anarchist, her, an outspoken rebel at the center of a parental custody battle and recent mental institution escapee. When their bodies combine, the ruckus of the party they're surrounded by becomes background noise. As Assayas films them kissing through flames, it's hard not to feel the both the heat of attraction and, arguably more so, the warmth that comes with deep, deep affection.

Recently joining the Criterion Collection in a gorgeous 4K restoration approved by Assayas himself, the new Blu-ray release includes:

� New interview with Assayas
� New interview with cinematographer Denis Lenoir
� Excerpt from a 1994 French television program on the film featuring Assayas and actors Virginie Ledoyen and Cyprien Fouquet
� New English subtitle translation
� An essay by critic Girish Shambu

"Cold Water"
Criterion Collection Blu-ray
$31.96
https://www.criterion.com/films/29385-cold-water