Emmanuelle follows a woman and the series of erotic sexual fantasies that she entertains. A young married woman is in search of a lost pleasure, whose business trip to feel expatriate life in Bangkok will initiate numerous encounters including her meeting with a man who constantly eludes her.
Emmanuelle is an English-language French erotic drama film directed, co-written and produced by Audrey Diwan. Based on the 1967 novel by Emmanuelle Arsan, it is the eighth theatrical film in the series of the same name, and the fifteenth film overall, and serves as a reboot. It stars Noémie Merlant as the title character.
In November 2023, Neon was announced to be circling US distribution rights. The film had its world premiere at the 72nd San Sebastián International Film Festival on September20, 2024. It was released theatrically in France by Pathé on September 25, 2024.
Emmanuelle’s cinematic journey
Shot in Hong Kong, the production was freely adapted from Emmanuelle Arsan’s 1967 novel of the same name. Emmanuelle approaches the quest of the character, who is still considered one of the most provocative characters in the history of cinema, from a female perspective.
In the film, set in France at the end of the 18th century and starring Noémie Merlant, star of the highly acclaimed Portrait of a Lady on Fire, Emmanuelle searches for a lost pleasure. In addition to Merlant, the film also stars Naomi Watts, Jamie Campbell Bower, Chacha Huang and Anthony Wong.
The 1974 film created a cult franchise
Diwan, who won the Golden Lion in Venice with her 2021 film The Happening, set in France in 1963, when abortion was illegal, wrote the script with her director friend Rebecca Zlotowski.
The novel Emmanuelle was previously turned into a film of the same name in 1974, directed by Just Jaeckin and starring Sylvia Kristel. The film became a cult hit and inspired numerous spinoffs and imitations. Sylvia Kristel died in her sleep on October 17, 2012.
By retelling the famous story, Diwan wants to reveal “an exploration of pleasure” in the post-#MeToo era. Pathé handled the distribution of Emmanuelle in France. The erotic adventure was released on September 25, just five days after its premiere in San Sebastian.
Emmanuelle (2024)
Directed by: Audrey Diwan
Starring: Noémie Merlant, Will Sharpe, Jamie Campbell Bower, Chacha Huang, Anthony Wong, Naomi Watts, Adrienne Lau, Agathe Bokja, Carole Franck, Bianca Lau, Andrea Dolente, Isabella Wei
Screenplay by: Audrey Diwan, Rebecca Zlotowski
Production Design by: Katia Wyszkop
Cinematography by: Laurent Tangy
Film Editing by: Pauline Gaillard
Costume Design by: Coline Duchet
Set Decoration by: Geraldine Laferte, Zoe Lee Tak-Nga
Art Direction by: François Borgeaud
Music by: Evgueni Galperine, Sacha Galperine
MPAA Rating: None.
Distributed by: Pathé
Release Date: September 20, 2024 (San Sebastián), September 25, 2024 (France)
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