Le lys de mer (1969)

Directors:

Jacqueline Audry, Renzo Cerrato

Writers:

Colette Audry (adaptation), André Pieyre de Mandiargues (novel)

Stars:

Bruno Alias, Carole André, Luigi Barbini

Cast

Credited cast:
Bruno Alias
Carole André
Luigi Barbini
Kiki Caron
Giustino Durano
Angelo Infanti
Tiberio Murgia
Marisa Solinas
Renato Terra
Pietro Tordi
Claudio Trionfi

Storyline

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Plot Keywords:

based on novel

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Details

Country:

Italy France

Language:

French Italian

Release Date:

28 April 1971 (Italy)

Also Known As:

Violentata sulla sabbia

Company Credits

Production Co:

Comacico, Comacico, Le Terrier

Technical Specs

Runtime:

92 min

Color:

Color

User Reviews

A New Spin on an Old Story

A young girl witnesses a violent and ultimately fatal act between her mother and another man and it emotionally scars her for years to come. As a young woman, she takes a vacation with a more worldly girlfriend to Sardinia, and in doing so, attracts the attention of a young man in the village. Despite her interest in the man her haunted past prevents her from developing a normal relationship with him.

I very much enjoyed "Violentata sulla Sabia" for many reasons. Carole Andre is very appealing in the lead role. The three lead characters are often seen in nothing but their bathing suits but the film is never exploitive. The on-location photography and rustic scenery are quaint and appealing. The music score by Gianfranco Plenizio (who also scored the same year's "The Cat in Heat") is very beautiful with cool wordless female vocals on the soundtrack that beg for a CD release. Most importantly, the film does not turn into a horror film, despite the lurid opening, and ends on a relatively pleasant note, but the ending is not without its sadness. Although I like horror films, the young-traumatized-girl-growing-up-messed-up storyline has been filmed many many times and it was refreshing to see that this film took a different path. My only complaint is that the film is in Italian language only, no subtitles, and it is quite dialog-heavy in a few spots, so all of the plot details were not always clear. Still, the combination of Carole Andre, the music score, and the accurate representation of small village cultures and people make this film more than satisfying.