Home
search
more | tips
IMDb > Femina ridens (1969)

Femina ridens (1969) More at IMDbPro »

Photos (see all 4 | slideshow)

Overview

User Rating:
7.0/10   128 votes
MOVIEmeter: ?
Up 55% in popularity this week. See rank & trends on IMDbPro.
Director:
Piero Schivazappa
Writers:
Paolo Levi (writer)
Piero Schivazappa (writer)
more
Contact:
View company contact information for The Laughing Woman on IMDbPro.
Release Date:
24 August 1969 (Italy) more
Genre:
Drama more
User Comments:
The less that is sometimes more more

Cast

  (Complete credited cast)
Philippe Leroy ... Dr. Sayer
Dagmar Lassander ... Maria
Lorenza Guerrieri ... Gida
Varo Soleri ... Administrator
Maria Cumani Quasimodo ... Sayer's Secretary
Mirella Pamphili ... Streetwalker
more
Create a character page for: ?

Additional Details

Also Known As:
Gioco d'amore, gioco di morte (Italy)
The Frightened Woman (Philippines: English title)
The Laughing Woman (USA)
more
Runtime:
108 min
Country:
Italy
Language:
Italian
Color:
Color (Eastmancolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 more
Sound Mix:
Mono
Certification:
UK:18 | USA:X
Company:
Cemo Film more

FAQ

This FAQ is empty. Add the first question.
4 out of 8 people found the following comment useful:-
The less that is sometimes more, 18 July 2006
Author: lazarillo

A young journalist, kind of a tame 60's Euro version of a feminist, finds herself kidnapped by a deranged male artist. He shows her photographs of a number of a women he claims to have killed, and promises to do the same to her when he's finished having his way with her. She seems to develop a case of Stockholm syndrome and soon becomes his willing playmate. But at the end neither of the them turns out to be what they initially appear (to give you just a hint, this movie is alternatively called either "The Frightened Woman" and "The Laughing Woman"). The plot of this movie resembles both the earlier film "The Collector" and the later "The Story of O", but it is very different from either. It also somewhat resembles the contemporary Japanese "pinku" movies, but is much more tame. Like other Italian movies released by Radley Metzger's Audobon Films (i.e. "La Matriarca)it kind of resembles one of Metzger's own films as well, but it is really its own unique creature.

With the possible exception of Metzger's "The Punishment of Anne" (which I've never seen) this might be the best version of a B-and-D/S- and-M film. (Granted, that's not saying much). This movie works as a B-and-D fantasy because it really explores the relationship and the ever-shifting nature of power between the dominant and submissive partner, and also because, even more importantly, it STAYS at the level of fantasy. In America they are so nervous about this subject for some reason that it is actually illegal to tie someone up in a hardcore porno movie. This may not be such a bad thing though because in countries like France and Germany, which have no such compunctions, the introduction of a hardcore footage into a B-and-D plot creates a jarring realism so at odds with the psychosexual fantasy that the whole thing, far from being exciting and disturbing, is mostly just silly and stupid. (There are also, of course, plenty of people who actually live this "lifestyle", but the less said of them the better).

The much more subtle, even tame approach really works here (for me). I especially enjoyed the pop-art set design and the kind of Freudian obsessions that were big in those days (i.e. one of the artists sculpture's looks like giant vagina dentata). The movie really doesn't get much more racy than Dagmar Lassender dancing around in an unraveling paper dress (but then again you ought to SEE Dagmar Lassender dance around in an unraveling paper dress), or more violent than some of the slide photographs the artist shows of his previous murder victims(which may not be genuine). I'm sure this arty and rather mild movie will disappoint both the serious porn addicts and the truly perverted S-and-M/bondage freaks, but for all of us curious (but not THAT curious) Euro movie fans it's a pretty decent way to go.

Was the above comment useful to you?
more

Message Boards

Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for Femina ridens (1969)

Recommendations

If you enjoyed this title, our database also recommends:
- - - - -
La vedova inconsolabile ringrazia quanti la consolarono Malèna Le segrete esperienze di Luca e Fanny La signora della notte Orgasmo
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
IMDb User Rating:
Show more recommendations

Related Links

Full cast and crew Company credits External reviews
IMDb Drama section IMDb Italy section Add this title to MyMovies

You may report errors and omissions on this page to the IMDb database managers. They will be examined and if approved will be included in a future update. Clicking the 'Update' button will take you through a step-by-step process.