Bilitis (film)
Bilitis is a 1977 French romantic and erotic drama film, directed by photographer David Hamilton, with a music score by Francis Lai. It stars Patti D'Arbanville and Mona Kristensen as the title character Bilitis and Melissa, respectively.
| Bilitis | |
|---|---|
| Directed by | David Hamilton |
| Written by | Robert Boussinot Catherine Breillat Jacques Nahum Pierre Louÿs (poem cycle) |
| Produced by | Sylvio Tabet Malcolm J. Thomson |
| Starring | Patti D'Arbanville |
| Music by | Francis Lai |
Release date |
|
Running time | 95 minutes |
| Country | France |
| Language | French |
The film is loosely based on a poem cycle by Pierre Louÿs entitled The Songs of Bilitis set in ancient Greece, although the film is set in modern Europe. The poems were meant to be autobiographical works by the title character.[1]
Synopsis
A teenage schoolgirl spends the summer with a couple whose marriage is strained, and develops a lesbian crush on the wife. Meanwhile, she pursues a local teenage boy and tries to find a "suitable male lover" for the wife.[2]
Although Bilitis can be described as a coming of age film the title character, Bilitis, ends up returning to school at the end of the film, realizing that she is not yet ready for adulthood.
Cast
- Patti D'Arbanville as Bilitis
- Mona Kristensen as Melissa
- Bernard Giraudeau as Lucas
- Gilles Kohler as Pierre
- Mathieu Carrière as Nikias
- Irka Bochenko as Prudence
- Jacqueline Fontaine as Head Mistress
- Marie-Thérèse Caumont as Sub-Principal
- Germaine Delbat as Principal
- Madeleine Damien as Nanny
- Camille Larivière as Susy
- Catherine Leprince as Helen
- Sabine Froute as Sabine
Production
The film was shot in the same soft focus style that was characteristic of David Hamilton's photography and his other films.
Companion book
In 1977, Hamilton released a photobook, Bilitis, which included the most memorable images from the film.
Soundtrack charts
| Chart (1978) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 60 |
References
- ^ Louÿs' work is credited in the film and soundtrack album and the book about the film.
- ^ "Bilitis (1977)". Film Fanatic. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
- ^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 172. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.