Thursday, August 21, 2008
THE LAST MISTRESS
Still playing in New York is the daring film, THE LAST MISTRESS: The dream pairing of daredevil screen siren Argento with Breillat, France’s foremost provocatrice, THE LAST MISTRESS is a smoldering adaptation of Jules Barbey d’Aurevilly’s scandalous 19th-century novel.
Set during the reign of “citizen king” Louis Philippe, it chronicles the surprising betrothal of former libertine Ryno de Marigny (newcomer Fu-ad Aît Aattou) to Hermangarde (Roxane Mesquida of FAT GIRL), a virginal daughter of French aristocracy.
Lurking in the margins – and in the imaginations of high society’s gossip-hounds – is de Marigny’s jealous lover of ten years, Vellini (Argento). Described as, “a capricious flamenca who can outstare the sun,” Vellini still burns for de Marigny, and she will not go quietly. Though a fascinating departure into more traditional storytelling, THE LAST MISTRESS sees Breillat continuing her career-long interest in the ramifications of female desire, casting Argento as an impassioned independent woman for the ages. Her performance – full-bodied, emotionally daring, volcanically carnal – is simply something to behold.
"Exhilarating. From the first moment she appears on screen…Ms. Argento has us in her grasp. She never lets go." - Manohla Dargis, New York Times
Cinemart Cinemas 106-03 Metropolitan Avenue (Metropolitan Avenue & 72nd Road), Flushing, NY 11375 The Quad Cinema 34 West 13th Street New York, NY 10011; and possibly other theaters!
An IFC Films release :
For more information and a preview:
http://www.ifcfilms.com/viewFilm.htm?filmId=616
Labels: Asia Argwento, Catherine Breillat, The Last Mistress
