Movies - Emmanuelle: Discover the first photo from Audrey Diwan's new film

By Mulder, 19 december 2023

French director Audrey Diwan presents her latest cinematic project, Emmanuelle, an erotic film that promises to bring a modern and sensitive vision of female eroticism. Produced in collaboration with screenwriter Rebecca Zlotowski, the film is based on Emmanuelle Arsan's novel of the same name. The world premiere of the project was unveiled to buyers at the Cannes Film Market on May 18, 2022.

Emmanuelle tells the story of a woman, played by actress Noémie Merlant, who, despite her power and successes, finds herself confronted by loneliness. The film explores her quest for pleasure, for research rather than discovery, against the exotic backdrop of Hong Kong, where the heroine works in a luxury hotel. Director Audrey Diwan explains that the film seeks to reveal the complexity of human relationships through an exploration of eroticism, far removed from pornography.

Audrey Diwan, winner of the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival 2021, announced the project on her Instagram account in May 2022, initially with Léa Seydoux in the lead role. However, the title role was eventually taken by Noémie Merlant. Merlant was chosen for her ability to embody authority and seduction, according to the director. Filming began in Hong Kong in October 2023 and wrapped in December of the same year. In addition to Noémie Merlant, the cast includes Naomi Watts, Will Sharpe, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anthony Wong, Chacha Huang, and others. Audrey Diwan points out that Emmanuelle is about eroticism rather than pornography, seeking to restore the art form to its former glory. The film explores pleasure through the prism of the female mindset, eschewing the traditional body-centric vision.

The Emmanuelle film saga is a series of erotic films that began in 1974 with the release of the first film, Emmanuelle. Directed by Just Jaeckin, the film stars Sylvia Kristel in the title role, a young married woman who explores her sexuality on exotic trips. The success of the first opus led to the creation of several sequels, each further exploring Emmanuelle's sensual adventures and sexual discoveries. The saga was characterized by its open, liberated approach to sexuality, defying the conventions of the time. Although the films were criticized for their explicit content, the Emmanuelle saga gained worldwide notoriety and was enjoyed by a passionate audience. The various directors and actresses involved in the saga helped create a unique atmosphere and explore the emotional dimensions of sexuality. Despite differing opinions on the nature of the films, the Emmanuelle saga remains an emblematic element of erotic cinema, leaving an indelible mark on the history of the genre.

The film will be distributed in France by Pathé, with a television broadcast pre-purchased by France Télévisions. The film is scheduled for release in 2024, although the date is subject to change.

Synopsis: 
A film freely adapted from the book by Emmanuelle Arsan.

Emmanuelle
Directed by Audrey Diwan
Produced by Marion Delord, Reginald de Guillebon
Written by Audrey Diwan, Rebecca Zlotowski
Adapted from the book by Emmanuelle Arsan
With Noémie Merlant, Will Sharpe, Naomi Watts, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anthony Wong, Chacha Huang
Cinematography: Laurent Tangy 
Production companies: Chantelouve, Rectangle Productions, Goodfellas, Pathé, Logical Content Ventures
Distributed by Pathé (France)
Release date: 2024
Running time: NC