Elles
Directed by Malgoska Szumowska
Synopsis
A provocative exploration of female sexuality, Elles stars the fearless Juliette Binoche as Anne, a well-off Parisian journalist investigating the lives of two student prostitutes (Joanna Kulig and Anaïs Demoustier) for a magazine article. What begins as a routine assignment, though, quickly turns personal, as Anne is drawn into the lives of these fiercely independent young women and forced to confront her own sexual fears and desires.
Film Info
Release Year: 2011 Running Time: 99 Color Type: Color Country: France, Germany, Poland Language: French and Polish with English subtitles
A provocative and raw exploration of female sexuality, director Malgoska Szumowska's ELLES paints an unromantic picture of upper-crust domesticity refracted through the vibrant eroticism of prostitution.
Vacillating between opposing worlds defined alternatively by sexual freedom and constraint, ELLES stars the fearless Juliette Binoche (Chocolat) as Anne, a well-off Parisian journalist investigating the lives of two student prostitutes (Joanna Kulig and Anaïs Demoustier) for a magazine article. What begins as a routine assignment shaped by preconceived notions quickly turns personal, as Anne is drawn into the lives of these fiercely independent young women and forced to confront her own sexual fears and desires.
A bold examination of poverty and privilege, age and youth, ELLES draws into question the loneliness, sterility, and isolation that plague marital life and stifle sensuality.
Contains adult content.
Cast
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Anaïs Demoustier ()
Andrzej Chyra ()
Joanna Kulig ()
Juliette Binoche ()
Krystyna Janda ()
Louis-Do de Lencquesaing ()
Crew
- Directed by Malgoska Szumowska
- Written by Malgoska Szumowska , Tine Byrckel
- Produced by Marianne Slot
- Cinematography by Michal Englert
Festivals / Awards
Academy Award���® Winner* Juliette Binoche
*1997 Best Supporting Actress The English Patient
Reviews
"The deeply felt moment-to-moment experience of a woman...played with astonishing sensitivity and commitment by Binoche." - Stephen Holden, The New York Times
"Most remarkable as a naturalistic portrait of a woman...one of [Binoche's] rawest performances." - Mark Jenkins, NPR
"An essay on women's roles in society and cross-generational female desire...it's tempting to call Elles some kind of thinking-person's sex movie." - Mark Olsen, The Los Angeles Times
"Racy and often sexy...simmers with an old-school feminist anger." - Alison Willmore, The A.V. Club
"[A] sharp honest take on female friendship and sexuality...richly explores this landscape of desire." - Susanna Locascio, Filmmaker Magazine
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Juliette Binoche in Elles, a film by Malgorzata Szumowska.
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Credit: Kino Lorber, Inc; Photo: Szymon Roginski
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Juliette Binoche and Anaïs Demoustier in Elles, a film by Malgorzata Szumowska.
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Credit: Kino Lorber, Inc; Photo: Szymon Roginski
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Anaïs Demoustier in Elles, a film by Malgorzata Szumowska.
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Credit: Kino Lorber, Inc; Photo: Szymon Roginski
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Joanna Kulig in Elles, a film by Malgorzata Szumowska.
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Credit: Kino Lorber, Inc; Photo: Szymon Roginski
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Malgorzata Szumowska and Juliette Binoche on the set of Elles, a film by Malgorzata Szumowska.
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Credit: Kino Lorber, Inc; Photo: Szymon Roginski
