Catherine Deneuve, the lovely actress in the title role, reflected on her time in Belle de Jour (1967) in a not so positive way. In retrospect, she felt she was used, overexposed and exploited in the film. She did not intend that statement as literal (there is no full, graphic nudity in the film), but rather was making a figurative assessment of the psychological involvement in the story. The film came out at the height of the French New Wave movement, and reflects the intellectual implications and symbolism of the genre...
Deneuve plays Severine, the newlywed bride of a busy husband.
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
Her droll existence leaves much to be desired, and she seeks distractions... both in dreams and reality...
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
Curiosity leads her to a brothel where she finds employment (but only from 2 until 5 in the afternoon, for she must be home before her husband returns from work).
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
The Madame of the house christens her Belle de Jour (Beauty of the Day), and her introduction to her new occupation has her nervous and remorseful.
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
She must cater to the desires of whomever pays for her services.
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
After a while she gains a certain satisfaction and sense of freedom...
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
Everything seems fine until a customer, an unbalanced criminal, becomes obsessed with her.
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
Despite his controlling ways, she has a certain modicum of attraction to him as well. However, this can only lead to disaster if he persists and her husband should find out...
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
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| Belle de Jour. 1967: Catherine Deneuve |
