The Loss of Sexual Innocence (1999)

Confused, non-linear film tells the sexual story of a film director from his life at age 5, age 12, age 16, a man embarking on his first film in 1950's Tunisia, and finally to his current ... See full summary »

Director:

Mike Figgis

Writer:

Mike Figgis

Stars:

Julian Sands, Saffron Burrows, Stefano Dionisi

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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

Storyline

Confused, non-linear film tells the sexual story of a film director from his life at age 5, age 12, age 16, a man embarking on his first film in 1950's Tunisia, and finally to his current life. Along the way he has sexual exploits with an older woman as a teen, gets involved with an Italian couple Tunisia that culminates in the killing of a local boy and the brutal revenge murder of the woman, and ultimately is married to a cold woman.

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Plot Keywords:

tunisia | murder | italian | 1950s | suicide by gunshot | 

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Genres:

Drama

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Motion Picture Rating (MPAA)

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

Details

Country:

USA UK

Language:

English

Release Date:

7 January 2000 (UK)

Also Known As:

The Death and Loss of Sexual Innocence

Filming Locations:

Northumberland, England, UK

Box Office

Budget:

$4,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend:

$50,354 (USA) (28 May 1999)

Gross:

$399,793 (USA) (27 August 1999)

Company Credits

Production Co:

Newmarket Capital Group, Red Mullet Productions, Summit Entertainment

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Dolby

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.78 : 1

Did You Know?

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)

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Soundtracks

"Girl Don't Come"
Written by Chris Andrews
Performed by Sandie Shaw

User Reviews

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.