Review of 36 Fillette (1988) by Steve C — 20 Aug 2007
Breillat explores confusion in female sexuality through 14 year old Lili, a virgin who's desperate to be rid of what she sees as her deficiency, as if the world of adulthood, love, and romance will magically welcome her the moment she does.
She's confused about her desires. In one poignant scene, Lili blames herself for not being attracted to the man she thinks she should sleep with. As if there were something wrong with her, and any NORMAL woman would want to do it.
When she balks at the sexual act, she tells him he's despicable, accuses him of assault, wonders why she's not attracted to this man, then when they part, she asks him out again. Great insights, but the ending throws me off.
When Lili finally has sex, she does so in an inconsequential encounter, a loveless thing with a teenage boy she has no feelings for, and the scene's presented as sexual liberation. Yes she's "taken back" her body (from patriarchal claims of ownership? from misogynistic fascination with virginity?) but she still has no idea what she wants, or how she feels, she's still estranged from her self, and the notion of sex as consumable good, or that empowerment arises from having emotionless sex "like a man" reminds me of Sex and the City and the faux feminism of Girl Power.
What's all that about?
This review of 36 Fillette (1988) was written by Steve C on 20 Aug 2007.
36 Fillette has generally received mixed reviews.
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