Cadinot: 'Le Désir en ballade' or 'The Travelling Journeyman'

This 1989 Cadinot film is about Edouard & Armand Pelletier two young & wealthy brothers, living on an enormous estate in the French countryside. Cadinot regular, Elyas Ardini, a Turkish actor known for playing the aggressive top-man in Cadinot's films, plays the small-in-stature older, domineering brother. He makes up for his slight build with his aggressive, bullying manner, and his younger brother, Jean-Francois Chambon becomes the object of his sibling's brutality. Raped and psychologically controlled, Edouard lives a miserable joyless existence. Until one day, a homeless wanderer, the beautiful and exotic Gilles Barthelemy happens upon the mansion during his travels, looking to do some handy work in return for food and shelter. The vagabond possesses the very kind of life that attracts and fascinates the young, oppressed Edouard, and when the two meet, the destines of these two are changed forever. Edouard runs away from home with the Vagabond, and thus begins a journey of sexual and spiritual learning, for both of them. The fact that the Vagabond is black further illustrates the class difference between the two and running off with a penniless traveler is just about the best way a wealthy young guy can rebel against the system and his class. The erotic scenes, mostly filmed in the rustic outdoors, barns, or small country homes, are very elegant, and possess a rare romantic quality. The story takes place in the 1940's, and the costumes and sets look lush and very realistic. "Le Desir en Ballade" is a film filled with hope and an old fashioned, Tom Sawyer-like view on the wilderness and the mysteries of traveling far from home and discovering another way to live. Gilles' character learns what it is like to have a partner, and true friend, while Edouard learns to take control and be free with his own desires. The sexual scenes with the two portrays the Vagabond allowing himself to be dominated by the youth, who learns an entirely new way to live and view sex as Barthelemy stands back and lets the boy take control, like a teacher showing his student how to be his own person. Intelligent and majestically wrought erotic film that is totally unique and unforgettable. Featuring some of Cadinot's most beautiful models, and scenes filmed under natural, streaming sunlight, and featuring an impressive musical score that is equally lush and romantic. As adult cinema goes, "Le Desir en Ballade" is one of the absolute finest examples, as well as one of JD Cadinot's best films. 'Le Désir en ballade' or 'The Travelling Journeyman'