Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		3.5
Audio		4.0
Extras		4.5
Overall		4.0

Gina Blu-ray Movie Review

Reviewed by Brian Orndorf May 25, 2023

1975’s “Gina” offers marketing that suggests the feature is a hard-edged crime story featuring brutal acts of violence and cool-blooded characters. There’s more to the picture than grindhouse interests, with respected director Denys Arcand (“Jesus of Montreal,” “The Decline of the American Empire”) trying to mix together various moods with the work, tempting viewers with rough business while actually delivering a fascinating study of corporate exploitation and working-class misery, also taking a long look at the strange ways of rural Canada. “Gina” isn’t forceful, but it’s a wild sit, with Arcand taking the material in all sorts of directions, occasionally finding his way back to criminal dealings.

Gina (Celine Lomez) is an exotic dancer working for a Canadian criminal organization, often sent to remote areas of the country to entertain the locals. Her latest assignment brings her to a small town in Quebec, setting up shop at the Chateau Berthelet, where her presence causes a disruption with the local men, including Bob (Claude Blanchard), the leader of a local snowmobile gang. Also hanging around the area is The Director (Gabriel Arcand), who leads a small film crew on a mission to create a documentary about the miserable state of the textile industry, looking to understand local workers and expose corruption. Gina befriends the moviemaking team, finding some entertainment with their flirtations and intelligence. However, Bob doesn’t like what’s going down, looking to claim Gina, and when she resists his advances, the gang responds with violence.

Gina is a traveling dancer, and she’s well-versed in the ways of men. She’s the center of attention wherever she goes, and she happens to go to places in Canada where there’s nothing else but her, with the story taking her to a Quebec town in the middle of winter, tasked with brightening up the spirits of the locals, with most of these people dead inside. And there’s a reason for that, with The Director and his crew looking to expose the merciless ways of the textile industry, where the moneymen pay workers pennies for their long hours and physically demanding labor. Employees have no other options, and “Gina” follows the film team as they collect interviews from the locals, paying special attention to Dolores (Frederique Collin), who’s open about the predatory industry, giving the men information about the legacy of labor offenses and violence in the town.

Such interest in exploitation takes on a dual meaning in “Gina,” as the dancer handles forward behavior from seemingly every man, putting her on the wrong side of Bob and his “Ski-Doo” goons, who reside in an abandoned ship trapped in a frozen river (one of many striking images in the picture). Arcand slowly builds up tensions with the antagonists, and this includes a lengthy billiards game with Gina and a crew member, who become pool sharks as the helmer covers the action in real time. “Gina” eventually reaches the dancer’s big number for a room of curious customers, but the story doesn’t climax there, taking a turn into darkness as Bob refuses to be denied access to Gina’s body, bringing along his gang for a vicious sexual assault, which changes the tone of the movie, sending it into more physical acts of revenge and pursuit.

Gina Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

The AVC encoded image (1.78:1 aspect ratio) presentation is sourced from a "35mm print by Elephant." "Gina" isn't an especially slick feature, but cinematographic moods are reasonably preserved here, handling a good sense of color, including the blazing reds of bar signage and boat lighting. Whiteness with winterscapes is a little bit lost, but that may be an inherent issue. Costuming carries varied hues, with silvery snowmobile suits and winter jackets. Skin tones are natural. Detail reaches as far as possible with the source, offering a softer sense of facial particulars and costuming. Interiors are reasonably open for inspection, and exteriors carry acceptable dimension, exploring the snowbound area. Delineation is satisfactory. Source is in good condition.

Gina Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The 2.0 DTS-HD MA mix provides a decent understanding of dialogue exchanges, with intelligibility preserved. There are limitations to the original track, which are easily detected here, finding chases with roaring engines somewhat blown-out. Music is basic, supporting with mild rock tunes and an end credit song. Atmospherics are appreciable, with howling winds common.

Gina Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

• Commentary features film historians Kier-la Janisse and Justine Smith.

• "Directing Gina" (21:06, HD) is an interview with director Denys Arcand, who details the origin of "Gina," working on a documentary about the textile industry in Quebec, soon drawn to the local strippers and their personal lives. Focusing on this subject, a screenplay was born, expanding into organized crime and the types drawn to such a lifestyle. Casting is recalled, heaping praise on star Celine Lomez. Arcand discusses his inspirations and ambitions with the project, and he highlights the unexpected North American success of "Gina," which wasn't accepted in Europe. Some career reflection is provided, and frigid shooting locations are identified. Arcand is proud of the picture, happy with the experience making it and the final cut.

• Audio Interview (13:16) is a chat with actor Gabriel Arcand, who also details the origin story of "Gina," with director Denys Arcand growing interested in the world of strippers and blue-collar workers. The interviewee recalls the winter shoot, bringing bitter coldness to the production, and he examines the helmer's attention to scripting and personal conduct. Memories of actress Celine Lomez are shared, and Arcand's professional struggles are highlighted.

• Audio Interview (8:06) is a discussion of "Gina" with actor Paule Baillargeon, who recalls her involvement with the production, tasked with watching director Denys Arcand's documentaries to help prepare for her part. Memories of the shoot and production participants are shared.

• Audio Interview (14:39) is an exploration of "Gina" with actress Dorothee Berryman, who recalls her early years, pursuing a career in acting as a young woman, making her way to Montreal in the 1970s. Berryman recalls some highlights and learning experiences from her career, eventually reaching her time in "Gina," responding positively to director Denys Arcand, describing him as "so cool." The filmmaking experience is recalled, along with release information.

• Audio Interview (13:02) takes a look at "Gina" with actor Marcel Sabourin, who starts the conversation stating that he doesn't "remember anything" about the movie. The interviewee does offer his thoughts on Quebec cinema of the day, recalling the experience of film production and the struggles of creative expression.

• "The Exploitation of 'Gina'" (11:20, HD) is a video essay by Alexandra Heller-Nicholas.

• And a Theatrical Trailer (2:58, HD) is included.

Gina Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

The snowbound sense of isolation and intimidation in "Gina" is capably handled by the helmer, who skillfully manages the screenplay's various interests, carefully becoming real with textile factory horrors and going broad with a climatic chase on slippery roads, captured with terrific intensity and a satisfying payoff. "Gina" is an odd endeavor, and it goes to strange places, but Arcand delivers a fascinatingly spare atmosphere with the feature, helped along by a capable cast and the production's refreshing interest in being something more than a B-movie.