La Femme Enfant 1980

La femme enfant 1980: A Controversial Film by Raphaële Billetdoux

La femme enfant (English: The Child Woman) is a 1980 French drama film directed by Raphaële Billetdoux and starring Klaus Kinski. It competed in the Un Certain Regard section at the 1980 Cannes Film Festival. The film tells the story of a 13-year-old girl, Elisabeth, who has a secret and strange relationship with Marcel, a 40-year-old mute gardener, who works at a castle near her village. The film explores the themes of loneliness, innocence, sexuality, and power in a provocative and controversial way.

Plot Summary

Elisabeth is the daughter of the hairdressers of a small village in the north of France. She is a talented organist who plays at the church and dreams of entering the conservatory. She is also an outcast who does not fit in with her peers or her cold and distant parents. She finds solace in visiting Marcel, a mute man who works as a caretaker at a nearby castle. Marcel is considered simple-minded by the villagers and is often mocked and abused by them. Elisabeth and Marcel have a special bond that goes beyond words. They have their own rituals, games, and habits. They also have their quarrels, which are quickly forgiven and forgotten. Elisabeth is sometimes bossy and demanding with Marcel, while other times she is submissive and obedient. She sees him as a friend, a father figure, and a lover.

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Their relationship becomes more complicated as Elisabeth grows older and more aware of her sexuality. She starts to flirt with boys at school and to rebel against her parents. She also becomes jealous of Marcel's interactions with other women, such as the castle owner's daughter or a prostitute who visits him occasionally. Marcel, on the other hand, becomes more possessive and protective of Elisabeth. He tries to keep her away from the outside world and to satisfy her every whim. He also becomes more violent and aggressive with anyone who threatens or insults her.

One day, Elisabeth passes the audition for the conservatory with flying colors. She decides to leave the village without any regret or remorse. Marcel cannot bear her absence and falls into despair. He sets fire to the castle and kills himself by jumping from the roof.

Cast and Crew

Role

Name

Director

Raphaële Billetdoux

Writer

Raphaële Billetdoux

Producer

Jean-Claude Fleury

Serge Laski

Cinematographer

Alain Derobe

Editor

Geneviève Winding

Marcel

Klaus Kinski

Elisabeth

Pénélope Palmer

Henri (Elisabeth's father)

Michel Robin

Lucienne (Elisabeth's mother)

Hélène Surgère

Critical Reception

The film received mixed reviews from critics and audiences alike. Some praised it for its originality, its poetic style, its exploration of complex emotions, and its daring portrayal of a taboo subject. Others criticized it for its lack of coherence, its excessive nudity, its exploitation of a young actress, and its glorification of pedophilia.

The film was also controversial for its production process, especially for the difficulties that Raphaële Billetdoux faced with Klaus Kinski. According to Billetdoux, Kinski was a nightmare to work with and at one point she had the temptation to stop the shooting, as it was no longer possible to continue. She claimed that Kinski was abusive, arrogant, unpredictable, and demanding. He also had a fit during the bathing scene that he prepared for Elisabeth, who was 14 years old at the time. He insisted on seeing her naked and refused to turn his back to her or the camera, as Billetdoux had planned. Billetdoux had to reduce the technical team to a minimum and set the stage in a very modest way to protect Palmer's privacy.

Conclusion

La femme enfant is a film that does not leave anyone indifferent. It is a film that challenges the viewer's morality, sensibility, and taste. It is a film that raises questions about the nature of love, friendship, and desire. It is a film that shows the beauty and the horror of human relationships. It is a film that can be seen as a masterpiece or a disaster.

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