Maîtresse 460291 223619357 2008-07-04T22:33:58Z Tjmayerinsf 1639760 /* References */ {{Infobox_Film | name = Maîtresse | image = Maîtresse.jpg| imdb_id = 0074883| director = [[Barbet Schroeder]] | writer = [[Barbet Schroeder]] <br>Paul Voujargol| starring = [[Gérard Depardieu]]<br>[[Bulle Ogier]]<br>[[André Rouyer]]<br>[[Nathalie Keryan]]| producer = Pierre Andrieux| music = [[Carlos d'Alessio]]| cinematography = [[Néstor Almendros]]| distributor = | released = [[1976 in film|1976]] | runtime = 112 min. | amg_id = 1:30902 | language = [[French language|French]] | }} '''''Maîtresse''''' is a [[1976 in film|1976]] [[French language|French]] [[film]] [[film director|directed]] by [[Barbet Schroeder]] and starring [[Bulle Ogier]] and [[Gérard Depardieu]] in an early role. The film provoked controversy in the [[United Kingdom]] and the [[United States]] because of its graphic depictions of [[sado-masochism|sado-masochistic]] behaviour, such as nailing a penis into a plank, and cunt whipping. ==Synopsis== Olivier (Depardieu) is a small-time crook. He and a friend happen to meet a woman, Ariane (Ogier) whose plumbing needs to be fixed. They fix the pipes and learn that the landlord downstairs is away. They take the opportunity to burgle him. However they discover that in fact downstairs Ariane has a torture chamber — she is a [[professional dominatrix]]. At Ariane's request, Olivier assists her with her work and slowly becomes obsessed with her, but struggles with her [[sadism and masochism|sado-masochistic]] activities. Olivier tries to understand and take control of Ariane, whom he believes frightened in her job, however, as their love blossoms, their natural roles of dominant and submissive cannot be overcome. ==Release in the United Kingdom== ''Maîtresse'' was first considered for release by the [[British Board of Film Classification]] in [[1976]]. It was banned from release, with the Board's examiner stating that the film was "miles in excess of anything we have released in this field". This quote itself led the film to achieve a certain level of notoriety. In [[1981]] the film was resubmitted. Following 4 minutes and 47 seconds of cuts from the most graphic scenes, the film was released with an X certificate. In [[2003]], the film was submitted for a third time and, following a relaxation of guidelines, passed at the 18 certificate without cuts. The film was rated ''[[X-rated|X]]'' in the United States. ==References== *Sleeve notes by Philip Kemp to the [[British Film Institute]] DVD release of the movie. == See also == *[[Sadism and masochism in fiction]] ==External links== *{{imdb title|id=0074883|title=Maîtresse}} * [http://www.criterion.com/asp/release.asp?id=223&eid=337&section=essay Criterion Collection essay by Elliott Stein] {{DEFAULTSORT:Maitresse}} [[Category:1973 films]] [[Category:BDSM in films]] [[Category:French films]] [[Category:French-language films]] [[Category:1970s comedy films]] [[Category:Sex comedy films]] [[Category:Satirical films]] [[Category:Films directed by Barbet Schroeder]] {{french-film-stub}} [[de:Maîtresse]] [[fr:Maîtresse (film)]]