Anna Daniels
The 72nd San Sebastian Film Festival began with much excitement over the debut of Emmanuelle, a film by Audrey Diwan. Diwan, who gained recognition for her poignant abortion-themed film Happening, which won the Golden Lion in Venice back in 2021, makes her return after a three-year break. However, her recent adaptation of the classic erotic novel by Emmanuelle Arsan has sparked unexpected backlash, with prominent media outlets like Variety, The Hollywood Reporter, Screen Daily, and IndieWire delivering scathing critiques.
The storyline of Emmanuelle stays true to the provocative nature of its literary origins. Featuring Noémie Merlant (known for Portrait of a Lady on Fire) in the lead role, along with Naomi Watts, Jamie Campbell Bower, and Will Sharpe, the narrative chronicles a woman’s sexual experiences through a series of encounters. The original novel, along with its 1970s film adaptations, is often linked to softcore pornography, and Diwan tackles this ground head-on.
Despite the anticipation leading up to its release, reviews have been predominantly negative. After being turned away from both Cannes and Venice, Emmanuelle has struggled to impress critics at San Sebastian, who criticized its framing and thematic depth. There were lamentations about its failure to elevate itself beyond the sensational backdrop of its forerunners, notwithstanding Diwan’s esteemed directorial background.
This starkly contrasts her earlier success with Happening, leaving audiences pondering Diwan’s intentions. Did she find the desire to explore an infamous erotic narrative too enticing? Or was this an artistic gamble that simply did not succeed?
With its premiere taking place on September 22, 2024, the film seems unlikely to achieve the same level of acclaim as Diwan’s previous work, marking Emmanuelle as a contentious and ultimately underwhelming addition to her filmography.
