BELLE DE JOUR

BELLE DE JOUR

Virtues are ravaged in this erotic French film from the 1960’s, produced in an era when the sexual revolution brought change to cinema.

Iconic actress Catherine Deneuve plays Severine, a married woman who suffers from sexual inhibitions. She leads a double life as a prostitute to satisfy her lust for forbidden sexual encounters and ultimately meets a gangster who threatens her marriage.

Deneuve credibly portrays belle de jour (lady of the day), displaying the appropriate level of purity and innocence later overshadowed by lust and promiscuity.

Fanciful sequences exploring Severine’s sexual fantasies are creative and tastefully executed, inadvertently arousing amusement at times.

This stylish and exquisitely filmed story of sexual exploration was provocative and ahead of its time when initially released, but the subject matter is widely acceptable today.

Regardless of some obvious flaws including questionable performances from select supporting cast and instances of ineffective editing, this film still remains a hidden gem in classic French cinema. (MMo)

***1/2

3-6 September, Screening at Event Cinemas George St & Hayden Orpheum Cremorne as part of the Alliance Francaise Classic Film Festival, $25, Bookings & Info: eventcinemas.com.au, Orpheum.com.au

 

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