Romance

Romance

Romance, directed by Catherine Breillat, tackles female sexuality and independence without inhibition. The protagonist of the film is Marie (Caroline Ducey), a college student stuck in an unfulfilling relationship with her cold boyfriend, Paul (Sagamore Stévenin). Having grown tired of Paul’s unwillingness to sleep with her, Marie seeks out self-exploration and self-identity through sex and other means. This includes a masochistic relationship with Robert (Rocco Sifredi) that seeks to soothe her.

The film’s themes blur the boundaries between emotional and physical intimacy; love, control, and relationships are questioned and left unanswered.

Awards & Wins

While Romance has not won major accolades, it has received a plethora of attention for its heavyweight sexual content and its part in breaking social norms of films. Internationally, the film also received praise, including a special screening at the Locarno International Film Festival, which recognized Breillat’s creativity.

Cast & Crew

  • Directed by: Catherine Breillat
  • Written by: Catherine Breillat
  • Marie: Caroline Ducey
  • Paul: Sagamore Stévenin
  • Robert: Rocco Siffredi
  • The Headmaster: François Berléand

Catherine Breillat’s films often tackle controversial topics regarding a woman’s identity and sexuality, and she remains faithful to her distinct style in the film.

IMDb Ratings

The film has a 5.3/10 rating on IMDb which demonstrates the contrasting views it attracted. Some say it was a brilliant study of sex, while some condemned it for being too vulgar and shallow.

Personal Insights

Romance is arguably one of the hardest films to sit through. This is because the movie makes the audience reflect on their views of love, intimacy, and an individual’s moral code. Breillat’s lectures are unimaginably harsh, since she often chooses the bare truth over fictional romantic clichés. Marie is incredibly brave, and her characterisation of a naked and empowered woman bewilders the viewer.

While the image is distressing, it is also one of the most powerful elements in the story as it embodies Marie’s suffering and the oppression of female sexuality. It is what sets Breillat apart from all the other feminist filmmakers. The film’s intensity, however, might be more than some people can handle.

It should also be considered that Romance stirred debate on censorship and women’s sexuality in cinema, something most countries were unprepared for. This is precisely the issue that led to age restrictions in some countries and outright bans in others. It is also regarded as an avantgarde film and one of the origins of new French extremity cinema. Breillat’s film was the catalyst for women being able to express their desire through art.

Even if the novel’s erudition and refusal to condescend makes it incomprehensible for certain brackets of society, Romance still remains a captivating and divisive work of Breillat. If one dares venture into the territory of ‘arthouse’ cinema, it is spine chilling. It dares the viewer to think thoroughly on matters some simply choose to avoid. Engaging with its unsettling ideas can be daunting, but a lasting impact is inescapable.

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