Noé was last seen at Cannes in 2015 premiering his previous film, the sex-in-3D erotic drama “Love,” which despite its explicit scenes of unsimulated coitus, was widely regarded as one of the director’s most tender, least abrasive (and, some would argue, dullest) works. “Climax,” on the other hand, looks like it could be a psychedelic trip as harsh and foreboding as his 2009 mind-bender “Enter the Void.” Filming allegedly took place over the course of a mere two weeks, suggesting that the movie may have been shot with a spontaneity in sync with the intoxicated behavior of its characters.

Here’s the official synopsis for “Climax” and note, the Director’s Fortnight page says the movie is “Based on a true story”: Birth and death are extraordinary experiences. Life is a fleeting pleasure.

And then a long-form version:

In the mid 90’s, 20 urban dancers join together for a three-day rehearsal in a closed-down boarding school located at the heart of a forest to share one last dance. They then make one last party around a large sangria bowl. 

Quickly, the atmosphere becomes charged and a strange madness will seize them the whole night. If it seems obvious to them that they have been drugged, they neither know by who nor why. And it’s soon impossible for them to resist to their neuroses and psychoses, numbed by the hypnotic and the increasing electric rhythm of the music… While some feel in paradise, most of them plunge into hell.

“Climax” sees Noé working once more with cinematographer Benoît Debie, whose efforts gave a vibrant and distinctive look to previous works like “Enter the Void” and “Irréversible.”

“Climax” will premiere at Cannes on May 13th. Distribution will be handled by Wild Bunch. Trailer, images and new poster below.