Les Biches (1968)

Architect Paul Thomas insinuates himself into the relationship of two bisexual women living in a St. Tropez villa with tragic consequences.

Director:

Claude Chabrol

Writers:

Paul Gégauff (screenplay), Claude Chabrol (screenplay)

Stars:

Jean-Louis Trintignant, Jacqueline Sassard, Stéphane Audran

1 win.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Jean-Louis Trintignant	...	Paul Thomas
Jacqueline Sassard	...	Why
Stéphane Audran	...	Frédérique
Nane Germon	...	Violetta
Serge Bento	...	Bookseller
Henri Frances
Henri Attal	...	Robègue
Dominique Zardi	...	Riais
Rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Laure Valmée

Storyline

Frédérique is a rich and beautiful woman who picks up a female street artist called "Why". It is December and they go to her villa in Saint Tropez, which is inhabited by a couple of odd gay men. Both women fall for the local architect Paul Thomas. However Why says that she is not interested in him, so Frédérique invites him to move into the villa.

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Plot Keywords:

bisexual | lesbianism | menage a trois | lesbian | woman murders a woman | 

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Taglines:

A Story of Unusual Love!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Not Rated

Details

Country:

France Italy

Language:

French

Release Date:

26 September 1968 (USA)

Also Known As:

Bad Girls

Filming Locations:

Paris, France

Company Credits

Production Co:

Les Films de la Boétie, Alexandra Produzioni Cinematografiche

Technical Specs

Runtime:

100 min

Sound Mix:

Mono

Color:

Color (Eastmancolor)

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Claude Chabrol said later the film marked a creative turning point for him. "With the films since Les Biches (1968) I think I'm finally on the right track," he said. "I knew I was interested in murder but what I didn't realize is that my interest isn't in solving puzzles. I want to study the human behavior of people involved in murder."

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Quotes

Paul Thomas: Bon soir.
Why: Bon soir.
Paul Thomas: You brought me luck. I was losing a lot.
Why: Why did you keep looking at me?
Paul Thomas: Are you annoyed?
Why: No, but why keep looking at me?
Paul Thomas: Was it so noticeable?
Why: I asked you "Why?"
Paul Thomas: Why? You're... you're a girl. You're pretty, and I like pretty girls. You take me for an ogre?
Why: May I?
[...]

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Connections

References The Naughty Nineties (1945)

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Soundtracks

Aurora
Written and Performed by Pierre Jansen Et Son Orchestre

User Reviews

Champagne! The artillery of pleasure!

If you are looking for action, erotic or otherwise, this is not a film you will enjoy.

It is a simple pleasure of color and emotion.

The plot is simple: A rich woman (Stéphane Audran - Babette's Feast, The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie) takes a liking to a poor young girl (Jacqueline Sassard). A man (Jean-Louis Trintignant - Z, Red) enters the picture, and friction results. That's it.

But, don't let the simplicity fool you. There is an elegant dance among the characters as emotional games are played. It is the dance amid the beauty of St. Tropez that is the pleasure.