As a child growing up in New York, director Pola Rapaport recalls her teenage sister ardently trying to get her hands on a copy of of French author Pauline Reage's fiery, newly translated 1954 novel of erotica, THE STORY OF O, after reading a review of it in the newspaper. When Rapaport was old enough to read it, she became captivated by its violent sexuality--which she had difficulty believing to be the creation of a woman's imagination. In 1994, author Reage revealed herself to be Dominique Aury, an editor and translator at France's respected Gallimard publishing house--and a noted feminist--who composed O at the age of 47 in order to excite her married lover, literary giant Jean Paulhan--her senior by 20 years. Then, in 1998, during a trip to Paris, Rapaport's curiosity about this fascinating woman prompted her to contact Aury and arrange a visit. Their conversation was the inspiration for this personal documentary, which attempts to explain the evolving popularity of the book through a series of interviews, dramatizations of events from Aury's life, and softcore enactments of passages from the novel. The result is a touching look at a literary puzzle, with a little skin thrown in for the interest of the less literary minded.
Theatrical Release: May 6, 2005 (LIMITED):
DVD Features:
Keep Case
Widescreen
Additional Release Material:
Interviews: John De St. Jorre
Liner Notes - John De St. Jorre
Director's Statement
Original Theatrical Release
Director of Photography
Wolfgang Held:
Review 1:
"[Aury] is a compelling subject: wry, charming, forthright, prickly, and insightful."
Source: Film Comment
p.74 05/01/2005
Review 2:
"The film juggles the majority of its complex stories without dropping a ball."
Source: Sight and Sound
p.87 07/01/2006