LE LIBERTIN aka THE LIBERTINE

Year: 2000
UK: Gala Film Distributors
Cast: Vincent Perez, Fanny Ardant, Josiane Balasko, Michel Serrault, Arielle Dombasle, Christian Charmetant, Françoise Lepine, François Lalande, Audrey Tautou, Vahina Giocante, Bruno Todeschini, Arnaud Lemaire, Yan Duffas, Veronique Vella, Eric Savin
Director: Gabriel Aghion
Country: France
Language: French
UK: 102 mins
UK Certificate: 15 contains moderate sex and coarse language
UK Release Date: 25 May 2001


Synopsis

LE LIBERTIN is a period adaptation of Eric-Emmanuel Schmitt's play set in late 18th century France about the exploits of the 18th century philosopher and libertine Denis Diderot (Vincent Perez), who was the author of the first encyclopaedia. Diderot is visiting the chateau of the Baroness d'Holback (Josiane Balasko) with his family, where the encyclopaedia is being illegally printed because it has been banned by the Government and the Church. Despite being targeted by a cardinal (Michel Serrault) who is determined to stop him printing it, Diderot who's more interested in pleasure than his work, gets up to all sorts of antics especially when the playful society artist Madame Therbouche (Fanny Ardent) arrives at the chateau.