The Loss of Sexual Innocence (1999)

Director:

Mike Figgis

Writer:

Mike Figgis (writer)

Release Date:

29 April 1999 (Germany)

Genre:

Drama

Plot:

Confused, non-linear film tells the sexual story of a film director from his life at age 5, age 12, age 16...

Plot Keywords:

Tunisia | Murder | 1950s | Italian | Interracial Relationship

Cast

Julian Sands	...	Adult Nic
Saffron Burrows	...	English / Italian Twin
Stefano Dionisi	...	Luca
Kelly Macdonald	...	Susan
Gina McKee	...	Susan's Mother
Jonathan Rhys Meyers	...	Nic, aged 16
Bernard Hill	...	Susan's Father
Rossy de Palma	...	Blind Woman
John Cowey	...	Nic, aged 5
Nina McKay	...	Mixed Race Girl
Dickson Osa-Omorogbe	...	Wangi
Jock Gibson Cowl	...	Old Colonial Man
Justin Chadwick	...	Flash Man
Femi Ogunbanjo	...	Adam
Hanne Klintoe	...	Eve

Also Known As:

The Death and Loss of Sexual Innocence (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for strong sexual images, pervasive nudity, violence and language.

Runtime:

106 min

Country:

USA | UK

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Certification:

Canada:18A (Ontario) | Iceland:14 | South Korea:18 | Argentina:18 | Australia:R | France:U | Germany:12 | Hong Kong:III | Peru:18 | Portugal:M/16 | UK:18 | USA:R | Philippines:R-18

Filming Locations:

Carlisle, Cumbria, England, UK

Company:

Newmarket Capital Group

Trivia:

The film was made on an extremely low budget and scenes supposedly set amidst the "red soil" of Nigeria were actually filmed in the Northumbrian countryside, near Morpeth (UK)

Soundtrack:

Piano Sonata in C

Mike Figgis' rich and powerful allegorical film challenges conventional cinema

This is not a film for someone who wants to "sit back" and be mindlessly entertained. It is a challenge to watch and an even bigger challenge to decipher. However, this film is such a demonstration of where film can go (beyond a linear storyline and literal constructions). It is patient and relaxed in its pace, is free to navigate through time and place. At first glance it appears to be a random compilation of shorts, but it really is a powerful interconnection of dreams, memories, archetypes, and life. What is most admirable about this film, though, is its confidence in its imagery (some of which is extremely powerful) and its minimal dialogue. This is not a film that "spoon feeds" theme and gives us chatterbox characters to walk us through what is happening. To be honest, I have seen the film three times and still am not sure about what is happening at every point, but it does leave room for personal meaning that makes it priceless and so rich. How many films can it be said of that even after a third viewing you have not even begun to realize its full meaning? There is much more said in the silence of "Loss of Sexual Innocence" that is ever said in any of its verbose contemporaries.