Equator

1983 1h 25m FR

💀

4.1

SKIP

★4.1TMDB · 9

DramaThrillerRomance

Synopsis

Spoiler shield

Although based on a novel by Georges Simenon, director (and songwriter) Serge Gainsbourg has superimposed several dark emotions and a subtle brutality over the weak plot about a man's trip to Africa and his unfortunate passion for a murderess whose amorality sends the disillusioned fellow back to Europe. Sometimes described as frustrating and self-centered, reactions to this film swing across a broad spectrum of complaints -- not the least might be whether or not Gainsbourg is using a clichéd and stereotypical view of "dark Africa" to convey what he sees in his characters.

“Some stories are better left unspoiled.”

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Cast

Francis Huster
Timar
Barbara Sukowa
Adele
Reinhard Kolldehoff
Eugene Schneider
François Dyrek
Superintendent
Jean Bouise
Public Prosecutor
Julien Guiomar
Bouilloux
Roland Blanche
One-Eyed Man
Murray Gronwall
The Forester

Credits

Behind the camera

Director: Serge Gainsbourg
Writers: Serge Gainsbourg
Languages: French
Countries: Gabon, France

Want more? Switch to Cinephile mode in the header for DP, composer, budget, box office, production companies, keywords, and release history.

Did you know?

Fun facts 🍿

1 / 8

RUNTIME

Did you know

85 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.

MoodPlayr · trivia#01

2 / 8

ERA

Did you know

43 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.

MoodPlayr · trivia#02

3 / 8

WORLD

Did you know

International production across 2 countries: Gabon, France.

MoodPlayr · trivia#03

4 / 8

ERA

Did you know

Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.

MoodPlayr · trivia#04

5 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Directed by Serge Gainsbourg, shot by Willy Kurant. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.

MoodPlayr · trivia#05

6 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Original score by Serge Gainsbourg. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.

MoodPlayr · trivia#06

7 / 8

DIRECTOR

Did you know

Editor Babeth Si Ramdane shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.

MoodPlayr · trivia#07

8 / 8

CAST

Did you know

Francis Huster and Barbara Sukowa and Reinhard Kolldehoff carry the top of the cast.

MoodPlayr · trivia#08

Cinephile deep dive

The take

Serge Gainsbourg directs. Willy Kurant behind the camera. Serge Gainsbourg scores. Babeth Si Ramdane cuts. Runs lean at under 100 minutes. Produced in Gabon, France. Dialogue in French.

Trivia

Things worth knowing

185 minutes exactly — the "classic feature" runtime most directors aim for.
243 years old — old enough to be someone's favourite childhood film.
3International production across 2 countries: Gabon, France.
4Lean credit list — fewer than 30 people officially credited.
5Directed by Serge Gainsbourg, shot by Willy Kurant. Note their partnership — DPs and directors often return to each other across a career.
6Original score by Serge Gainsbourg. Worth a dedicated listen after — most great films lose half their impact without the score.
7Editor Babeth Si Ramdane shaped the rhythm. On an edit-heavy film, the editor does more to control your pulse than the director.
8Francis Huster and Barbara Sukowa and Reinhard Kolldehoff carry the top of the cast.
9IMDB entry: tt0086654 — still the authoritative cross-reference for credits and trivia.
10Only 9 TMDB ratings — you're getting ahead of the curve on this one.