Olivia
By Charlotte Stace
La Filmoteca screens Jacqueline Audry’s classic film, Olivia (1951). Starring some of the biggest European stars of the day - Edwige Feuillère, Simone Simon, Marie-Claire Olivia and Yvonne de Bray - it’s a must-see this December.
The film, which is set in the 19th-century, follows the story of Olivia, a British teenager, who arrives at an elite French school and becomes captivated by her headmistress, Mademoiselle Julie. Tensions arise as Olivia discovers the emotional entanglements and rivalries between Julie and another teacher, Mademoiselle Cara, whose influence over the students creates an intense power struggle. The film explores a range of themes, including desire, jealousy and homosexuality.
Known for its darling portrayal of female desire and psychological complexity, Olivia is celebrated as a landmark in French cinema for its bold and sensitive treatment of same-sex relationships. What’s more, for her part in the film as Mademoiselle Julie, Edwige Feuillère was nominated for a BAFTA for Best Foreign Actress.