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Thriller Cult Classic

Opera, murder, and forbidden desires entwine in this provocative Euro-thriller.

MASCARA

1987 · 1h 34m · R · Thriller · IMDB TMDB

A respected police commissioner has a reputation as a fervent opera lover, but by night he also enjoys plunging into the transsexuals and transvestites scene.

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Quick Answer

What is Mascara about?

Mascara is a 1987 Belgium/Netherlands/France thriller film directed by Patrick Conrad about a police commissioner whose double life in the opera and transvestite scenes is upended when his wife is murdered, leading him to implicate a set-designer interested in his sister.

Programmer's Pick

Mascara isn’t afraid to get messy—this Euro-thriller juggles opera, sexual subcultures, and a murder investigation with a distinctly provocative flair. Charlotte Rampling commands the screen, while the film’s fascination with transgressive desire and gender presentation sets it apart from standard police procedurals. If you like your mysteries complicated and your characters even more so, Mascara delivers.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Set in a European city awash with operatic drama and shadowy nightlife, Mascara follows a respected police commissioner who is equally devoted to high culture and the clandestine world of transvestite clubs. His carefully compartmentalized life is further complicated by a troubling attraction to his own sister. When the shocking murder of his wife rocks his world, the commissioner’s response is as personal as it is professional: he seeks to frame a set-designer who is romantically interested in his sister. With themes of sexual identity, obsession, and the blurred lines between duty and desire, Mascara is a noir-tinged exploration of secrets and transgressions.

Details & Specs

Director
Patrick Conrad
Writers
Patrick Conrad, Pierre Drouot, Hugo Claus, Susana Rossberg
Release
1987
Runtime
1h 34m
Country
Belgium, Netherlands, France
Language
Dutch, English
Genres
Thriller
Also Known As
Mascara - Ein teuflischer Plan, Make-up voor een moord

Cast & Crew

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Director: Patrick Conrad Writers: Patrick Conrad +3 more
Charlotte Rampling Charlotte Rampling Gaby Hart Michael Sarrazin Michael Sarrazin Bert Sanders Derek de Lint Derek de Lint Chris Brine Jappe Claes Jappe Claes Colonel March Herbert Flack Herbert Flack David Hyde Harry Cleven Harry Cleven PC Serge-Henri Valcke Serge-Henri Valcke Harry Wellman Romy Haag Romy Haag Lana Eva Robin's Eva Robin's Pepper JV John van Dreelen Minister Weinberger Lyda Lobo Lyda Lobo Golden Woman NC Norma Christine Deumner Salome Pascale Jean-Louis Pascale Jean-Louis Divine Alexandra Vandernoot Alexandra Vandernoot Euridice Mark Verstraete Mark Verstraete Police Officer HV Hugo Van Den Berghe Policeman CB Charlotte Berden Gaby's Daughter Marie-Luce Bonfanti Marie-Luce Bonfanti Norma CL Carmela Locantore Orfeo LC Lois Chacón Shanghai Lili ML Michel Laborde Tcha tcha Thai AZ Alain Zerar Alain Zerar NF Nathalie Fritz Dead Woman S' Serge 'Lydie' Lambert Gambler KD Katja Delvon Divine's Shadow LD Lou De Prijck Policeman TF Terry Fischer Opera Manager DA Dimitri Anastasiades Creature - Mr. Butterfly PB Patrick Boets Creature - Mr. Butterfly DB Didier Bouillon Creature - Mr. Butterfly K Katia Creature - Mr. Butterfly PD Patrick de Breuck Creature - Mr. Butterfly HD Hilt de Vos Creature - Mr. Butterfly DE Dorine Esser Creature - Mr. Butterfly AG Alberto García Creature - Mr. Butterfly JH Jean Haster Creature - Mr. Butterfly VJ Vincent Jongen Creature - Mr. Butterfly RM Rio Menegazzi Creature - Mr. Butterfly MM Michel Minuzzi Creature - Mr. Butterfly MO Michel Olemans Creature - Mr. Butterfly CP Carine Peeters Creature - Mr. Butterfly S Sabrina Creature - Mr. Butterfly YD Yvan David Creature - Mr. Butterfly PS Patrice Septier Creature - Mr. Butterfly JS Jean-Paul Souille Creature - Mr. Butterfly BT Boas Toorgeman Creature - Mr. Butterfly AV Annick van Avermaet Creature - Mr. Butterfly MV Marc van Crombrugge Creature - Mr. Butterfly FV Frank van Malder Creature - Mr. Butterfly HW Hillary Wagenar Creature - Mr. Butterfly FA Firmin Allary Member - Mr. Butterfly JB Jo Bertrand Member - Mr. Butterfly HD Henri de Blaere Member - Mr. Butterfly JD Josef de Busschere Member - Mr. Butterfly TD Thean Decco Member - Mr. Butterfly MD Marnix de Kuyper Member - Mr. Butterfly JD Julien Demey Member - Mr. Butterfly CD Charles De Wael Member - Mr. Butterfly JG Joris Ghekire Member - Mr. Butterfly PG Peter Grunewald Member - Mr. Butterfly MJ Mark Janssens Member - Mr. Butterfly PL Piet Labian Member - Mr. Butterfly AM Alfons Maes Member - Mr. Butterfly LP Louis Parez Member - Mr. Butterfly DP Dirk Pierloot Member - Mr. Butterfly SR Sébastien Radovitch Member - Mr. Butterfly TR Tony Roels Member - Mr. Butterfly FR Francis Rolot Member - Mr. Butterfly JS Jean-Claude Soetens Member - Mr. Butterfly JV Jan Vanderborght Member - Mr. Butterfly RV Robert van Cleemput Member - Mr. Butterfly JV Johan Vandermeulen Member - Mr. Butterfly MV Mike Vanderstraete Member - Mr. Butterfly GV Gaston van Laere Member - Mr. Butterfly CV Christ Vermandere Member - Mr. Butterfly WW Willy Wouters Member - Mr. Butterfly MW Marco Wyn Member - Mr. Butterfly RS Roger Sabo Creature - Mr. Butterfly

Explore More

Why Cult

Operatic Double Life

The police commissioner moonlights between opera houses and the transvestite scene, creating a striking contrast between his public and private worlds.

Transgressive Sexuality

Themes of gender, transvestism, and forbidden attraction push boundaries and defy mainstream thriller conventions.

Euro-Thriller Glam

Shot in Belgium, France, and the Netherlands, the film oozes Continental style and atmosphere, with nods to both high culture and underground nightlife.

Charlotte Rampling Intrigue

Charlotte Rampling’s presence as Gaby Hart brings sophistication and complexity to the tangled web of relationships.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Mascara released? +

Mascara was released in 1987.

Who directed Mascara? +

Patrick Conrad directed Mascara.

How long is Mascara? +

Mascara has a runtime of 94 minutes.

What genre is Mascara? +

Mascara is a thriller.

Where can I watch Mascara? +

Mascara is available to stream on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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