SEX IS COMEDY
Year: 2002
USA: IFC Films
UK: Artificial Eye
Cast: Anne Parillaud, Gregoire Colin, Roxane Mesquida, Ashley Wanninger, Dominique Colladant, Bart Binnema, Yves Osmu, Elisabete Piecho, Francis Seleck, Diane Scapa, Ana Lorena, Claire Monatte, Arnaldo Junior, Elisabete Silva, Júlia Fragata, Bruno Ramos, Alfredo 'Alebe' Ramalho, Rudolfo Santos, Jose Cascais
Director: Catherine Breillat
Country: France
Language: French (English subtitles)
UK: 92 mins
UK Certificate: 18 contains strong sex and nudity
USA Release Date: 20 October 2004 (Limited Release)
UK Release Date: 25 July 2003
US Distributor
Synopsis
After ROMANCE and a MA SOEUR, Catherine Breillat's latest film, SEX IS COMEDY, reveals an unexpected light touch in this typically frank, witty and sometimes hilarious attempt to demystify the creative process, specifically the shooting of a single sex scene, thereby exposing the superficiality of the glut of recent 'making of' movies. Breillat film delivers a smart comedy, with strong autobiographical references about sexual politics and the psychological manipulation of power, exploring the dynamic play between actor and director, male and female and the shifting balance of control in relationships.
The scene is set: a sunny summer's day, holidaymakers frolicking on a beach, a young couple drawing closer together. The reality on set however is very different, unpredictable weather and a disgruntled cast and crew. Jeanne (Anne Parillaud), a demanding director, determined to wring the best performance possible out of her young leads, decides to retreat to a studio where she can exercise greater control over the elements. As the cast and crew prepare to shoot an intimate sex scene, Jeanne is aware of the games she must play to get the performance she wants.
Anne Parillaud's (NIKITA) central performance as Jeanne - a note perfect copy of Breillat herself - marks a welcome feature film return. Budding beauty Roxane Mesquida reprises her role as the ambivalent ingenue in a MA SOEUR, and Gregoire Colin (BEAU TRAVAIL) rises to the occasion, playing her narcissistic seducer.