Audrey​ Diwan’s ‘Emmanuelle’: ⁤A ‌modern exploration of desire

A fresh ⁣take on a classic

Opening ⁤this year’s San Sebastian⁤ Film Festival, Audrey Diwan presents her latest film, Emmanuelle. This project follows her Golden Lion-winning film, “Happening,” and‍ continues⁣ her exploration of sensorial experiences through literary adaptations. Diwan’s new film delves into the elusive quest​ for physical pleasure, a theme‌ she approaches with a unique perspective.

Reviving sensations

Diwan describes the project as one of renewal, aiming ⁢to​ revive and share sensations with the audience. The film updates the 1967 novel by Emmanuelle Arsan, reimagining the protagonist, Emmanuelle (played‌ by Noemie Merlant), as a leisure quality control inspector. She is sent ⁤to a luxury⁤ hotel in Hong Kong, ‌managed ‍by Naomi Watts and haunted by a mysterious guest portrayed by Will Sharpe.

The pursuit of‌ pleasure

While the film centers on pleasure, it also highlights the frustration of unmet desires. Diwan emphasizes that the pursuit of pleasure should remain a mystery, exploring the subject from her perspective without offering universal answers. ‌She believes ⁢that pleasure is a deeply personal experience, varying from one ​individual to another.

A personal journey

Diwan’s decision to take on this project was driven by ⁤her creative passion ⁤and fear. Initially hesitant, she found the source novel⁣ fascinating,‍ particularly its in-depth⁣ exploration of desire.​ This led her to⁣ question whether⁤ eroticism could still serve as a​ relevant narrative engine ⁤and how ⁢themes‌ from 1967 might resonate today.

The art of eroticism

For‍ Diwan,‍ eroticism is​ about the tension between⁢ what is seen and ⁣what ⁣is hidden. She believes that what remains concealed ‌is often more intriguing. This⁤ approach asks the viewer to actively ​engage with‌ the​ film, collaborating with the⁢ story. ⁣Diwan’s goal ⁢was to‌ depict a ⁢woman who can no longer experience pleasure and ⁣her journey to recover ​it, paralleling her previous ⁢work ⁣on pain ‍in “Happening.”

A ⁢contemporary perspective

Diwan’s ​version of Emmanuelle ⁤ focuses on a 35-year-old ​professional woman, rather than a ‌young ingénue. This ‍shift‌ allows her ‌to explore different societal expectations and pressures. The film portrays a woman who must perform enjoyment and ⁢success, ultimately⁤ leading to exhaustion. Diwan and co-writer ​Rebecca Zlotowski imagined a process of letting go, opening‍ a ‌window, and taking a ⁤deep breath to shed ‍these societal dictates.

The luxury hotel‌ setting

The choice to set the ⁤film in a luxury hotel adds⁢ a layer ⁣of complexity. Diwan describes‌ these hotels as dizzying places‍ where everything is⁤ eternal and unchanging. This creates a seductive but sterile atmosphere, where chaos is rare and quickly smoothed over. ⁤Emmanuelle,⁢ as a quality control inspector,⁢ ensures that ‌guests’ experiences are⁤ pleasurable,​ but she knows these​ experiences are artificial, ⁣part of a décor.

Comparisons to ‘The White Lotus’

The film’s setting and themes draw comparisons to The White Lotus, which also explores appearances and individuality. Diwan acknowledges this ⁤similarity, noting that the hotel environment creates social distance and a distinction between the public self and private experiences. The hotel promises something exotic ⁢but ultimately fails to ⁣engage with ⁣the ⁤world.

Intimate scenes and onanistic expression

Many​ of the film’s intimate⁤ scenes feature Emmanuelle alone,‌ reflecting ‌an empty relationship with the world. ⁣Diwan ‍wanted to explore how ‍artificial pleasure can feel stifling, highlighting the desire to escape and breathe after ​feeling confined. The film is not a direct feminist revision⁤ but rather ​an exploration⁣ of female pleasure without overturning previous codes.

The⁢ challenge of representing pleasure

Diwan and Merlant faced the challenge of representing the female ⁢orgasm authentically. They sought to move​ away from previous representations,‌ aiming for something that​ felt true. The‍ process was exhausting, ⁤with‍ numerous takes, but ultimately led to a moment of ​inspiration and authenticity.

Collaboration with actors

Working with actors who also direct, like Noemie⁣ Merlant​ and Will Sharpe, brought a unique dynamic to the set. Both actors intuitively understood the framing and shared their ‍perspectives with Diwan. Merlant’s background as a model‌ and her interest in the subject allowed her ⁤to portray the body with freedom‌ and authenticity.‍ Sharpe, with⁤ his Anglo-Japanese‍ heritage,‍ brought thoughtful representation to his role.

Final thoughts

Diwan’s Emmanuelle is a⁣ nuanced exploration of‌ desire, pleasure, and ⁤societal expectations. By focusing on ‍a contemporary professional woman and setting the film​ in a luxury hotel, Diwan creates a ‍rich, layered narrative‍ that invites viewers to engage with the story ‌actively. The‌ film’s intimate⁢ scenes, collaboration with⁣ talented actors, and thoughtful representation make it a⁢ compelling ⁣addition ⁢to ‌Diwan’s body ‍of work.