The woman on which this movie is based, Marie de Régnier, became one of the most influential writers in France at the beginning of the 20th century (sometimes under the pseudonym Gérard d'Houville). Although the hook for 'Curiosa' is the love triangle between her and the poets Henri de Régnier and Pierre Louÿs, the movie goes far beyond that, as it tells the story of a woman's emancipation who, at the height of the Belle Époque, went from being an object of male desire to someone who challenged the prejudices of the French bourgeoisie of her time, taking possession of her body and her sexuality through her artistic re-affirmation. Therefore, although it is a period drama, it is an extremely relevant movie today, in times of such a wide and necessary feminist discussion (something emphasized by its more current electronic soundtrack). The performances of the entire cast are good, but logically the one who stands out the most is the actress Noémie Merlant, who became famous for 'Portrait of a Young Woman on Fire'.
Named one of the 100 best films of the century by The New York Times. This provocative French drama takes place in a time of greater modesty and social controls, but that does not prevent the blossoming of a forbidden love between a young bride and the artist who must portray her in a painting. Thus, 'Portrait de la jeune fille en feu' mixes an excellent period reconstruction, beautiful photography and an intense romance - which only gains with the performances of Adèle Haenel ('The Unknown Girl') and Noémie Merlant ('Curiosa'). Another highlight in the filmography of director and screenwriter Céline Sciamma, who has already signed productions such as 'Tomboy', 'Girls' and 'Lírios d'Água'.
A Difficult Year (Une Année Difficile) is a comedy directed by Olivier Nakache and Éric Toledano, best known for the hit French film The Intouchables. In this film, we follow two friends (Pio Marmaï and Jonathan Cohen), compulsive buyers drowning in debt. One day, while seeking help from social workers, they are lured by the prospect of free beer into an environmental activists’ protest, where they both become intrigued by a woman (Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant), though they remain unconvinced by the movement. While the satire of excessive and selfish consumerism feels a bit mild, the film is highly entertaining thanks to the comedic duo of Marmaï and Cohen, keeping with the light-hearted and fun tone of The Intouchables.
Emmanuelle (2024) is a French film directed by Audrey Diwan (Happening, 2021), offering a feminist reimagining of the famous erotic novel of the same name by Emmanuelle Arsan—which has also inspired a vast film series. This version follows an independent Emmanuelle (Portrait of a Lady on Fire's Noémie Merlant) who is an executive at a luxury hotel chain, sent to the Hong Kong headquarters to investigate the reasons behind the hotel's declining revenue, and finding an excuse to fire the manager (Naomi Watts). However, she soon becomes obsessed with a mysterious client (Will Sharpe), while embarking on sensual experiences in the hotel. Diwan's film seeks to reinterpret an erotic classic from a more progressive perspective, complemented by a more elegant yet equally sensual visual style.