Director: Bertrand BlierScreenplay: Bertrand Blier
Starring: Gérard Depardieu, Bernard Blier, Jean Carmet, Carole Bouquet, Michel Serrault
Country: France
Running Time: 89 minutes
Year: 1979
BBFC Certificate: 15
Post-French New Wave director and iconoclast Bertrand Blier described Buffet Froid, which vaguely translates to ‘cold-cuts’, as about cold-blooded lunatics played by “towering legends”. An apt description for the surreal black comedy set mostly in a gritty urban Parisian tower block with titans of French cinema, including Gérard Depardieu, the writer-director’s father Bernard Blier, and Jean Carmet, with major cameos from Michel Serrault and Carole Bouquet.
The 1979 cult film is being released by Indicator in 4K with Dolby Vision for the first time ever, and on Bluray for the first time in the UK. It’s packed with a set of complementary special features.
These include an audio commentary, an insightful interview with Blier, a short TV interview with the main cast and stars, an audio podcast episode examining Blier’s work, along with a trailer breakdown and image and script galleries. It’s also set to come with a booklet with new writing on the film.
The label describes the film as “too farcical to be a thriller, yet too surreal to be a farce”. It’s a film that feels set in a satirical loopy-land, mirror image of this world, where everyone is painfully honest and don’t seem to have any morals. There’s an almost alien morbid curiosity this set of characters, expertly directed, have with killing and heinous crimes.
The plot follows Alphonse Tram, played by Depardieu with a naïve frantic air, who becomes obsessed with the thought of killing after troublesome dreams, and can’t tell whether he’s killed a man. Bernard Blier plays the only other tenant in the tower block, a police detective who isn’t interested in hearing Tram’s confession, and his deadpan delivery is utterly hilarious. Then Jean Carmet plays an unnamed killer, who preys on women, with a peculiar innocence. It is such an oddball film made by a maverick. Bertrand Blier’s imagination is truly astounding.
Picture and Sound
The film is presented in 4K ultra-HD with Dolby Vision (HDR10 Compatible), restored from the original camera negatives. The sharp crystal-clear image is enhanced by a series of techniques, creating a visually striking picture.
Blier has set his film within the modernity of Paris, often using wide angles and concentrating the action in the centre, with a slow pull-out method, creating a detached isolated atmosphere. Then pulling in close as the action unfolds and the characters spiral into further insanity, creating a claustrophobic feel.
The film uses the original mono audio. There’s little in the way of score or soundtrack, with most of the sound punctuated by piercing snappy French dialogue. However, there are key sequences which use orchestral music that have a menacing austere quality.
Film:
Special Features
Audio commentary by Nick Pinkerton: Fantastic audio commentary. He provides analysis on the film’s aesthetic and symbolism. Extensive background on members of the cast and crew. He delves into Blier, providing interview snippets and analysis from film author Sue Harris. He speaks about the accusations of misogyny waged at the director, and how the perception of the film has changed over the years.
Bertrand Blier on ‘Buffet froid’ (2019): the writer-director takes an in-depth look back at his cult film (24.31mins): Blier was such a character, and the very image of an intellectual while he puffs away on his pipe. He speaks about the writing process, the psychology behind the film and the casting.
Les Rendez-vous du dimanche: ‘Buffet froid’ (1979): extract from the French television programme, featuring Blier and cast members Gérard Depardieu, Bernard Blier, and Jean Carmet discussing the film at the time of its release, alongside other guests (7.55mins): This is a fluffy fun little interview that shows a nice dynamic between father and son, Bertrand and Bernard.
Audio podcast Interview with Bertrand Blier author Sue Harris (38.02mins): Harris speaks about getting to know the director, how she fell in love with his work, and his perceived misogyny. She starts speaking about Buffet Froid around 25 minutes in.
Trailer (2.10mins) + trailer breakdown with Daniel Kremer (5.13mins): Very cool trailer which used split screen. Kremer’s fairly unfunny breakdown added very little.
Image gallery: promotional and publicity materials
Script gallery: complete dialogue and continuity script
New and improved English translation subtitles
Limited edition exclusive booklet with new writing on the film by Sue Harris, archival interviews with writer-director Bertrand Blier, an overview of contemporary critical responses, and film credits.
Extras:
Powerhouse Films/Indicator is releasing Buffet Froid on 17th August, 2026.