La captive
Chantal Akerman, 2000, 118 min

With introductions by Nick James & Marion Schmid

“Adapting the fifth volume of Marcel Proust’s In Search of Lost Time, Chantal Akerman transforms the material into a mesmerizing study of voyeurism, control, and sexual obsession centred on the relationship between a possessive young man (Stanislas Merhar) and his passive lover (Sylvie Testud), whom he is convinced is carrying on a lesbian affair. As he relentlessly stalks her every move, the two find themselves imprisoned in a cycle of jealousy, erotic longing, and self-destruction.” – Janus Films

Screening as part of our Close-Up on Chantal Akerman programme