L' Eté dernier

Ten years after her last film, Catherine Breillat makes an electrifying return with this sun-dappled psychodrama about forbidden love. Against her better judgment, Anne (a commanding Léa Drucker), a middle-aged lawyer, plunges into a feverish affair with Théo (Samuel Kircher), her fiery 17-year-old stepson. Though Anne is a devoted mother to adopted twin girls and a tender spouse, the illicit relationship soon proves addictive, eventually fracturing her sense of self and ushering in an identity crisis that culminates in a chilling final act turn reminiscent of VERTIGO. An adaptation of the 2019 Danish film DRONNINGEN set on the monied outskirts of Paris, L’ÉTÉ DERNIER quivers with pastoral sensuality and the thrill of the taboo, complicating our preconceived notions about love, sex and marriage in such a way that underscores the inherent tragedy of heterosexual gender relations. These dynamics have anchored the filmmaker’s provocations throughout her entire career, but here they take on a new light set against a contemporary, post-#MeToo backdrop of sexual abuse and age-gap power struggles. Breillat, France’s high mistress of cinematic transgression, certainly hasn’t lost her edge. (Beatrice Loayza)

In the presence of Catherine Breillat. 

On Wednesday, October 25, 2023 there will be a talk with Catherine Breillat at the VIENNALE ZENTRALE,. More information HERE!

Catherine Breillat: NE VRAIE JEUNE FILLE (1976), TAPAGE NOCTURNE (1979), 36 FILLETTE (1987), SALE COMME UN ANGE (1991), AUX NIÇOIS QUI MAL Y PENSENT (1995), PARFAIT AMOUR! (1996), ROMANCE (1999), À MA SŒUR! (2001), BRÈVE TRAVERSÉE (2001), SEX IS COMEDY (2004), ANATOMIE DE L’ENFER (2002), UNE VIELLE MAÎTRESSE (2007), BARBE BLEU (2009), LA BELLE ENDORMIE (2010), ABUS DE FAIBLESSE (2013)