Maîtresse
Maitresse is a French 1973 movie directed by Barbet Schroeder and starring Bulle Ogier and Gerard Depardieu in an early role.
The film provoked controvesy in the United Kingdom and the United States because of its graphic depictions of sado-masochistic behaviour.
Synopsis
Olivier (Depardieu) is a small-time crook. He and a friend happen to meet a woman, Ariane (Ogier) whose plumbing needs to be fixed. They fix the pipes and learn that the landlord downstairs is away. They take the opportunity to burgle him. However they discover that in fact downstairs Ariane has a torture chamber - she is working as a professional dominatrix. Olivier, at Ariane's request, helps her with her work and slowly becomes obsessed with her and her sao-masochistic activities. Olivier tries to understand and take control of Ariane, who he believes is scared in her job. However as their love blossoms, their natural roles of dominant and submissive cannot be overcome.
Release in the United Kingdom
Maitresse was first considered for release by the British Board of Film Classification in 1976. It was banned from release, with the Board's examiner stating that the film was "miles in excess of anything we have released in this field". This quote itself led the film to achieve a certain level of notoriety. In 1981 the film was resubmitted. Following 4mins and 47seconds of cuts from the most graphic scenes, the film was released with an X certificate. In 2003, the film was submitted for a third time and, following a relaxation of guidelines, passed at the 18 certificate without cuts.
The film received an X certificate in the United States
References
- Sleeve notes by Philip Kemp to the British Film Institute DVD release of the movie.
Referenced By
List of BDSM fiction | Sadism and masochism in fiction
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