Curiosa is a French historical erotic drama that premiered in 2019 and was directed by Lou Jeunet. This film features Paris during the Belle Époque period of the late 19th century; it looks at the actual romance between French writers Pierre Louÿs and Marie de Régnier. In Curiosa, an intricately woven love triangle serves as a springboard for the exploration of obsession, artistic creation, desire, and sexual emancipation—themes that were highly controversial during the time morality and reputation conflicted with self expression.

Noemie Merlant, who is recognized for her role in Portrait of a Lady on Fire portrays Marie de Régnier, while Niels Schneider casted as Pierre Louÿs and Benjamin Lavernhe representing Henri de Régnier complete the main star cast of the film.

Plot summary

Marie de Heredia is a charming adolescent girl from a well known literary family; she is also witty and smart. In an attempt to secure her family’s financial reputation, she chooses to marry Henri de Régnier, Pierre’s best friend, even though she is in love with the free spirited writer and photographer Pierre Louÿs.

Unable to give up on her passions, Marie begins an affair with Pierre but does so discreetly. Their relationship grows to more than just an affair—Pierre brings Marie into the realms of photography, eroticism, and sex. He becomes increasingly obsessed with capturing her in compromising postures which forces her to come into terms with her own desires and reclaim her body on her own conditions.

The film captures Marie’s metamorphosis from a compliant daughter and spouse to someone who takes charge of her identity and sexuality and eventually becomes a published author herself.

Character Illustrations

Marie de Régnier (Noémie Merlant): A multifaceted woman with unfulfilled passions, she is a captive of her society, yet longs for liberation. Her journey forms the movie’s emotional heart.

Pierre Louÿs (Niels Schneider): An epicure and a man of riotous living, Pierre adores everything erotic. He brings Marie’s interests to life but grows to be emotionally possessive of her at the same time, which is problematic.

Henri de Régnier (Benjamin Lavernhe): Marie’s prose poet husband, who brings some emotional comfort and much needed stability, but little passionate love. He serves as an additional source of emotional conflict and critique on the institution of marriage during that period.

Key Ideas and Film Technique

Art and Erotica: The film uses photography as an imagery of freedom and emancipation entwined with grotesque voyeurism, which it skillfully dissects.

Feminine Autonomy: In Marie’s case, loving, creating, and embracing her identity comes with an intertwining sense of autonomy.

Obsession and Possession: The interplay of emotions experienced by Pierre and Marie illustrates the double-edged sword of desire: the ability to unlock and imprison one’s self.

Historical Aesthetic: Curiosa is richly imaginative and emphasizes the juxtaposition of external propriety and internal dissent with its lavishly crafted period costumes and ostentatious Parisian setting.

The film additionally contains an element of romanticism—visually and poetically soft, yet framed through the embodying notion of emotional bond or artistic inquiry, rather than being objective in nature.

Conclusion

Curiosa tells of a woman’s endeavor to challenge societal boundaries through art, passion, deep self-reflection, all fused in the concept of love. While focused on the erotic nature of relationships, the film tells a multifaceted story about female creativity, desire, and the consequences of being openly authentic in a controlled society.

This is a film for those who appreciate a sensual period drama but sophisticated by the existence of literature and a complex female character.