April In Paris Film Festival – Belle De Jour

Director: Luis Buñuel

1967, France, 100, R

Screenwriter: Luis Buñuel based on the novel by Joseph Kessel.

Cast: Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, Michel Piccoli.

Discussion led by Karen Humphreys, Festival Co-director and Principal Lecturer in Language and Culture Studies.

 

“Mystery is the essential element of every work of art.” – Luis Buñuel French films – at least compared to American and British movies – have a matter-of-fact sensuality and openness to the varieties of sexual experience. Having said that, the great surrealist director Luis Buñuel – who left Spain for the freedom of expression he found in Paris – has always found a way to shock the bourgeoisie, from his first film (Un Chien Andalou) to his last (That Obscure Object of Desire). And although cinematographer Sacha Vierny’s images are hauntingly beautiful to look at, Belle de Jour does not disappoint when it comes to provocation! French national icon Catherine Deneuve stars as a elegantly dressed member of the upper class who finds more satisfaction working as a call girl during the day, than in spending evenings with her picture-perfect husband.

“A fascinating combination of beauty, sensuality, brilliance, and fierce independence is the talented Catherine Deneuve… How compelling is her role in Belle du Jour in which she unforgettably blurs fantasy with reality.” – author and critic Meredith Jaffe.