Dunkerque, a sober and mysterious port, lends itself to a romantic stroll. Love blossoms between Frédérique and Christophe. He is 28, she is 37. She is a rather classic and bourgeois woman. At first she is surprised about their love, but in the end she believes in it. But then life gets the upper hand again. The truths emerge onto the table and suddenly the man turns out to be different: selfish, tormented and a little adrift. In other words: a young man. He says he can’t cope any more with his life ‘being laid down’ at an age when he should ‘ enjoy’ himself. She suffers. Nevertheless, they continue their relationship, passionately and degenerate. Until one night he kills her. The first pictures are already pointing at a murder. The film is however not about a murder, but about a love that ends with a murder. The news report on which the film is based was an excuse for Catherine Breillat to give her view of ‘a couple’: a relationship of two people condemned to each other, a universe in which passion has to end in murder. The fusion of man and woman is impossible, such a love can only end in confrontations and cruelty.Catherine Breillat: ‘This press release has fascinated lots of people. Why? Because it’s about ourselves. And if love degenerates, the relationship acquires a sado-masochistic aspect. That can happen to anyone.’ (J.D.)
