Jacques Marchand made his mark in the realm of cult cinema with his role in The Pariah (1972), a film that delves into the complexities of societal outcasts. Set against a backdrop of gritty realism, Marchand's performance captures the essence of characters living on the fringes, embodying the raw energy of 1970s exploitation films. His contribution to this genre highlights the often-overlooked narratives of marginalized individuals, making The Pariah a significant entry in the catalog of SassyFlix.
The Pariah
Episodic portrait of a criminal, from 1934 until after the war. Roberto Borgo is tough, cool, sardonic, loyal, and deadly. He comes to Marseilles to help his friend Xavier Saratov get out of jail, first killing a local brothel and casino boss to take over the businesses, and, with the help of Xavier's sister, Georgia, amass money for Xavier's defense. Xavier loses in court, so Roberto gets himself thrown in prison to be with his friend. Escape proves futile, but they are pardoned in exchange for working as sappers. After the war, Xavier is a bitter cripple, but Roberto remains detached, extorting ownership of a casino, which puts his friends at risk. Does he care?