Flux Gourmet is just insane. The voice-over decision dramatically deviates from the movie's mood, and Gwendoline Christie's (Game of Thrones) acting occasionally seems like it belongs in a 1950s noir. The Duke of Burgundy's writer-director Peter Strickland (who also directed) created a manic story filled with graphic imagery, and it all works. It takes a lot of guts to see Flux Gourmet, but if you can handle it, the gags about cannibalism and flatulence are worth it. Putting aside the graphics, the concepts of pretentiousness and artistry are so expertly handled that many of the movie's apparent defects may equally be interpreted as winks at the viewer.
Unnamed sound catering collective finds out that Ms. Stevens, the institute's proprietor, may not be entirely on their side as they begin their stay there. Billy, Lamina, and Elle, the band's leader, make up the ensemble. Ms. Stevens and Elle are often at odds over how to incorporate music and food into the presentation. When the two cannot agree on using a specific instrument in the performance, everything goes awry. The awkwardness of the dinner conversation increases, and the press and other studio customers start to notice the band's cracks. Journalist Stones chronicles this entire scenario while dealing with an extreme case of flatulence.
Flux Gourmet has a lot going on, and one could argue that it is both boring and fascinating. The movie frequently uses lengthy takes and languid beats in contrast to gory scenes. It's to the filmmaker's credit that they coexisted peacefully. Since conflict is one of the first and most crucial principles of screenwriting, Strickland is a pro and doesn't let either component get in the way of it. There is drama present in every scene, whether it involves Stone at the gastroenterologist or the entire band performing. The script is constantly prepared to blame someone, which makes the entire experience interesting.
The main tension in the movie is between Elle's creativity and Ms. Stevens' pragmatism. When a film settles into being about high management in the music business, it almost feels abrupt for one with such an outrageous sense of style. However, Flux Gourmet's ideas around the circumstances are possibly its strongest points. When Mohamed's character has had enough, she naturally creates a scene and disrespectfully begins to urinate in front of Christie's Ms. Stevens. Her bandmates start laughing before she even gets started. Despite being presented as the antagonist, Ms. Stevens is right when she says that Elle's activities as an artist "wreak of entitlement" rather than her supposed sense of ethics.
It's a whirlwind, but Flux Gourmet is a much-needed critique of exhibitionism. Even when the movie starts to feel out of place, Strickland's direction and storyline always balance one another out. All of the performances are fun to see. Ariane Labed is a wonderful newbie to American audiences, while Asa Butterfield (Ender's Game, sex Education) is developing into a very interesting performer. The humour in the movie is the icing on top of a revolting feast that must be heard to be believed.