Jean Genet's unsettling ménages—of sexual repression, power, and criminality; of vulgarity and saintliness—are evident in this drama for which he wrote the script. In a small French village the powers that be are the mayor, the chief of police, and a schoolmarm and professional virgin called simply Mademoiselle (played by Jeanne Moreau). Enter a burly Italian guest worker and his teenage son, and Mademoiselle's power base is shaken: passion begins to consume her.
Moreau takes the occasion to pull out all the stops in a portrayal that echoes Greek tragedy, but perversely carries ritual to a rather more biblical climax.
Written by Jean Genet. Photographed by David Watkin. With Jeanne Moreau,
Ettore Manni, Keith Skinner, Umberto Orsini. (103 mins, In French and Italian with English subtitles, B&W, 'Scope, 35mm, From MGM)
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