It’s a name that caused a scandal fifty years ago and revolutionized erotic cinema. A look back at the story of “Emmanuelle”, a daring film for the time directed by Just Jaeckin with Sylvia Kristel in the title role.
With its rattan armchair, its vaporous drapes and its soundtrack by Pierre Bachelet, “Emmanuelle” is a UFO in the world of erotic films of its time. Released on June 26, 1974 in France, it caused a real scandal, but enjoyed worldwide success.
The cast includes actors from classical theatre and auteur cinema. In terms of financing, the film also benefits from an unprecedented budget for an adult production.
“Emmanuelle” is adapted from an erotic bestseller of the same name, written by Emmanuelle Arsan in 1959. The producer, Yves Rousset-Rouard, eager to entrust the project to a young director, approached the photographer Just Jaeckin who accepted, delighted to shoot a feature film. Just Jaeckin then directed “Histoire d’O” and, again with Sylvia Kristel, “L’amant de Lady Chatterley”.
Abolition of censorship in France
The abolition of censorship in France allowed “Emmanuelle” to be released in theaters and reach a wide audience. And it was a hit, with more than fifty million viewers worldwide. Six episodes and a TV series followed.
In Switzerland, censorship was still in play in 1976 with the release of “Emmanuelle 2”.
>> To see, Vaudois deputies watch the film “Emmanuelle 2” released in 1976 to get an idea of the work of the censorship commission. (RTS Archives):
In 1984, forty-eight parliamentarians mobilized against TSR, which wanted to broadcast the film on New Year’s Eve. The channel gave up in the face of pressure.
Gift and burden for actress Sylvia Kristel
“Emmanuelle” is also a case study for the representation of women in erotic cinema. In the film, the fragile Emmanuelle played by Sylvia Kristel follows her mentor. Over the course of the saga, the character asserts herself, but remains an object-woman. For her interpreter, this role is a gift and a burden. Sylvia Kristel ends up leaving the saga after four films.
>> Listen to an interview with Charles-Antoine Courcoux, film historian at the University of Lausanne, on the film “Emmanuelle”, a symbol of sexual liberation:
The Dutch actress then proved herself alongside big names in cinema. But she ended up taking on this film which had broken stereotypes.
If half a century later the smell of sulfur has faded, the memory of a scandal remains.
Subject TV: Matthieu Hoffstetter
Adaptation web: olhor
