It is not possible for anybody to prevent films from getting negative publicity or becoming famous for 'wrong reasons'. French director Alain Jessua directed one important film in his long career which could easily belong to the above mentioned category. It is called 'Traitement De Choc'/Shock Treatment.For absolute puritans, the appearance of French actors Alain Delon and Annie Girardot in some nude scenes might be a cause of concern but for average viewers they provide a healthy dose of voyeurism which is something that is craved by all people. However, the true essence of a film cannot simply rest on the presence of just few sex scenes. This is precisely why a film like Shock Treatment is revolutionary as it was the first film in the history of cinema which heralded the use of human beings as guinea pigs for sadistic pleasures of a few denizens of a selfish capitalist society. Director Alain Jessua chose to highlight the sad plight of impoverished Portuguese boys who were deceived into selling their own bodies when they came to France in search of a better living. Shock treatment is not a horror film but some scenes are not for viewers with a weak heart. Lastly, if you have been enjoying actor Alain Delon's performances as a leading man then 'Shock Treatment' has an element of surprise in it. Watch it in order to explore it with your own eyes.

When the executive of the fashion industry Hélène Masson (Annie Girardot) is dumped by her lover, she has a midlife crisis and her friend Gérôme Savignat (Robert Hirsch) advises her to spend vacation in the isolated rejuvenation clinic owned by Dr. Devilers (Alain Delon) and his partner Dr. Berbard (Michel Duchaussoy). Hélène is welcomed by the happy clients and befriends the Portuguese employee João, who is an illegal immigrant, practicing her knowledge in Portuguese language with him.After the first injection of a formula based on animal blood, Hélène feels very well. But soon Gérôme can not afford to pay the treatment and commits suicide. Then João disappears and Dr. Devilers does not allow her to check-out the clinic. Hélène is suspicious that something is wrong and she goes further in her investigation of the clinic and finds the secret of the rejuvenation formula of Dr. Devilers."Traitement de Choc" is an unbelievable story of a doctor that uses illegal immigrants as an important component of his formula of rejuvenation. The story is of the same year of "Soylent Green" and both uses human blood and flesh with different purposes. The director Alain Jessua uses a bold but also silly scene of frontal nudity of the actors and actresses that does not add any value to the movie. My vote is six.Title (Brazil): "Tratamento Diabólico" ("Devilish Treatment")

Helene Masson, a busy executive from Paris goes for a special treatment at a spa where she meets a lot more than just to give her body a treat, and a rest from her busy schedule. The clinic where she is going to stay is run by an enigmatic man, Dr. Devilers, whose program gets fabulous results in restoring a youthful appearance and a special glow to its many repeat patients, that find what they are looking for at the hands of the able staff. Unfortunately, they will be eating a diet that includes a lot of sea grass in its menu.It does not take long before Helene starts noticing the Portuguese workers moving like automatons. When one of them falls in the swimming pool, she jumps to save him from drowning. There are many things that do not make sense. Helene decides to investigate, something that takes her to uncharted territory. In doing so, Helene is suspected of wanting to destroy Dr. Devilers wonderful work. She will be shocked when she realizes what she has gotten herself into.Director Alain Jessua directed this thriller with shades of science fiction we never saw. Because of its nudity, this film probably had limited release, but not knowing for sure, we could not even hazard a guess. One of the strengths of the film is the production design by Geo Huris, Yannis Kokkos, and Constantin Mejinsky. The setting for the film looks contemporary by today's standards. The achievement of Mr. Jessua lies on the great look he gave the picture, something that is rare in films of more recent vintage. The camera work of Jacques Robin works well, as does the original score by Mr. Jessua and Rene Koering.Annie Girardot, one of the great French cinema actresses of all times, is excellent as Helene. Alain Delon, one of the handsomest faces of the world cinema, bares it all in a sequence that will be remembered for its frankness at a time when nudity well known actors did not show their charms for audiences to see. Robert Hirsch and Michael Duchaussoy are also featured.

Alain Jessua has made some of the most disturbing movies of a generally tame French cinema (mainly in the seventies and early eighties unless some "avant-garde" drivel like "themroc" counts). Barely ten movies in almost forty years.His best works are to be found between 1972 and 1982,his most fruitful decade which begins with "traitement de choc" and encompasses forgotten works such as "les chiens " "Armaguedon" and "paradis pour tous" . "Traitement de choc" is his towering achievement though:and not only because Delon and Girardot are completely naked for one sequence by the sea .There's much more substance to find here.The core of movie is the fear of dying ,and when you see so many people worship their body today,you cannot deny this flick was ahead of its time.In a strange clinic , doctors Delon and Duchaussoy make people look younger ,thanks to animal cells.That's what they say.Their patients set up a small community of happy few .Girardot who has been ditched by her partner and who comes to think she begins to get old enters the place.Little by little,strange things happen:a lot of the staff (migrant workers) are sent back home because they've got the homesick blues.That's what they say.One of her friend commits suicide because he was broke and could not afford this luxury anymore.That's what they say.The tension increases and in the last fifteen minutes ,"traitement de choc" becomes a true horror film.(One should note it was made the same year as "Solyent Green")."Traitement de choc" is the selfishness of the bourgeoisie ,the power of money,the eternal dream of perpetual youth which haunts all of us ,man's exploitation of his fellow man (in every sense of the term)."Shock therapy" indeed.