Bertrand Tavernier, France 1981, 128'

With equal touches of Kafka, Genet, and Beckett, Tavernier’s brilliant adaptation of Jim Thompson’s 1964 pulp paperback Pop. 1280 takes place in an ethical No Man’s Land. Thompson novels are harrowing studies in amorality; tales in which we are forced to identify with someone whom circumstances force to do appalling things.

Clean Slate deftly transplants the story of an inept police chief-turned-heartless killer and his scrappy mistress from the American South to French West Africa. Featuring pitch-perfect performances by Philippe Noiret and Isabelle Huppert, this striking neo-noir straddles the line between violence and lyricism with dark humour and visual elegance.

The Luc Tuymans Film Programme reflects issues in the Tate Modern exhibition.