After breaking into a house he believes is empty, thief Olivier is caught by the owner, Ariane, who turns out to be a dominatrix. Improbably falling for her, Olivier returns periodically, and an impulsive romance blossoms despite Ariane's profession. Soon Olivier becomes more familiar with her work, even joining in on occasion. However, when he discovers that Ariane has a son, he attempts to "fix" her, hoping to give her a better life.
Acting
Bulle Ogier's controlled, unreadable performance keeps you guessing.
Direction
Schroeder observes without judgment—or safety nets.
Director
Barbet Schroeder
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
The film was seized by French customs and rated X, with Schroeder personally fighting censorship battles. The unsimplied scenes used real professional dominatrices as technical advisors—and sometimes participants.
This was Depardieu before he became Depardieu: raw, desperate, almost pathetic. The film captures a fleeting moment where French cinema could still shock its own audience.
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