This is an absorbing, informative, and at times, touching documentary about the creation of one of the most popular and influential softcore films of all time, Emmanuelle. We learn about the movie’s inception; everything from producer Yves Roussett-Rouard buying the rights to Emmanuelle Arsan’s scandalous memoir to the hiring of noted photographer Just Jaeckin as director, and the discovery of the iconic star, Sylvia Kristel. The tumultuous shooting is also discussed as the low budget crew were shooting without permits in foreign countries where nudie moviemaking was frowned up. Finally, the documentary revels in the filmmakers’ success as Emmanuelle paved the way for an entire genre of erotica.
The interviews with Roussett-Rouard, Jaeckin, and star Marika Green (who played Emmanuelle’s lover, Bee in the film) are insightful. The many scholarly interviewees are equally enlightening as they are able to connect the dots and formulate why the movie was such a global phenomenon. (Which basically boils down to sexual liberation, the loosening of censorship laws, and of course, Sylvia Kristel.) In fact, Emmanuelle: Queen of French Erotic Cinema is so well done that it’s almost a letdown that they only go in-depth on the first movie. The sequels are quickly glossed over, and the legions of rip-offs are derided. (The unofficial Emanuelle series are only shown in a series of lurid poster art.) Maybe someday somebody will make the definitive documentary on the Emanuelle rip-off series. I can at least hope. Till then, this is a great doc on the first flick.
What elevates Emmanuelle: Queen of French Erotic Cinema above most skin flick documentaries is the final section devoted to Kristel. It’s here where we see a montage of clips culled from talk shows, interviews, and behind the scenes footage where the (male) hosts continuously ask tactless questions about nudity, backhandedly shame her, and generally act like pigs. She answers all their questions in a professional manner, but the sadness in her eyes speaks volumes. Even though she found success outside of the Emmanuelle films, for better or worse, she would forever be Emmanuelle in the eyes of the press. While she appears nude throughout the documentary in scenes and ad slicks for the film, it's her wounded, sad eyes during these interview segments that leave the longest lasting impression.
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