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Belle de jour is a French drama film from 1967 directed by Luis Bunuel and starring Catherine Deneuve, Jean Sorel, and Michel Piccoli. The film tells the story of Séverine, a beautiful and reserved young woman married to a successful surgeon but haunted by dreams of sexual desire and submission. Séverine is an upper-middle-class housewife who appears to have everything. However, she is deeply unhappy in her marriage and is unable to be intimate with her husband. One day, she hears about a high-class brothel and decides to apply for a job as a prostitute, hoping to fulfill her sexual fantasies and escape her mundane life.

At first, Séverine is hesitant about her new job. She tries to resist the advances of her clients, but eventually succumbs to their desires. She becomes a popular and highly sought-after prostitute, going by the name Belle de jour. Her life becomes a double life as she keeps her secret from her husband and her respectable friends.

As Séverine becomes more and more involved in her new world, she meets Marcel, a gangster who becomes infatuated with her. He becomes increasingly possessive and violent, threatening her safety and her marriage. Meanwhile, her husband suspects that something is amiss with his wife and hires a private investigator to follow her.

The film is a provocative exploration of sexual desire, repression, and fantasy. As Séverine engages in various sexual encounters with her clients, she is forced to confront her own desires and fears. It also explores the societal pressures that define female sexuality and the consequences of defying those norms.

The film is shot in black and white, with a dreamlike quality that emphasizes the surreal nature of Séverine's life. The cinematography is stunning and uses stark contrasts and unusual camera angles to create a sense of unease.

Catherine Deneuve delivers an outstanding performance as Séverine. Her portrayal of a woman torn between her desires and her sense of duty is nuanced and complex. She captures Séverine's confusion, fear, and longing with subtlety and grace.

Jean Sorel is excellent as Séverine's husband Pierre, a man who is devoted to his wife but unable to understand her needs. Michel Piccoli is equally impressive as Henri Husson, Séverine's most frequent client, who becomes obsessed with her.

Belle de jour is a brilliant work of art that challenges social norms and taboos. It explores themes that are still relevant today, such as the objectification of women, the power dynamics of sexual relationships, and the consequences of repressed desire. It is a must-see for fans of French cinema and anyone interested in exploring the complexities of human sexuality.

Belle de jour is a 1967 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.