Audrey Diwan on Emmanuelle, Exploring Pleasure, Self-Discovery, and the Female Gaze in Cinema

French director Audrey Diwan (Happening) sat down with The People’s Movies to share insights about her new film Emmanuelle, which is coming to UK cinemas this week.
The story follows Emmanuelle, portrayed by Noémie Merlant (Portrait of a Lady on Fire), a luxury hotel chain quality controller sent to Hong Kong to investigate why a hotel is slipping in customer ratings. What begins as a professional mission quickly transforms into a personal journey of self-discovery, as Emmanuelle seeks to reconnect with her sense of pleasure and identity. From the opulent top floors of the hotel to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, her story explores the divide between outer perfection and inner truth.
Be sure to read our review of EMMANUELLE here.
In the interview, Diwan reflects on Emmanuelle’s emotional journey, particularly the relatable disconnection between body and mind, which she believes is important to discuss openly in our society. She also reveals how the hotel serves as a metaphor for societal pressures, hidden labour, and the inequities of post-colonial structures. The conversation wraps with a look at the growing representation of the ‘female’ gaze in cinema, with Diwan celebrating the opportunity to bring fresh and challenging perspectives to the screen.
If you’ve already read our review, check out the full interview below:
Emmanuelle is in UK cinemas on January 17th.
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