Watch House of the Sleeping Beauties

House of the Sleeping Beauties, a 2006 film directed by Vadim Glowna, is based on a novella by Yasunari Kawabata. The film is set in an unnamed European city and follows the story of Edmond, a retired concert pianist who is grappling with loneliness and mortality. On a suggestion from a friend, Edmond visits a mysterious brothel, where he is introduced to a unique service: he can spend the night with a sleeping woman.

The brothel, run by the enigmatic Madame (played by Angela Winkler), caters to a specific clientele: affluent, elderly men who are seeking solace in the embrace of young, beautiful, unconscious women. Madame believes that sleeping women reveal their true selves, free from societal expectations and pretenses, and that men can experience pure pleasure in their company. The brothel is a place where one can forget about the outside world and indulge in the comforts of the present moment.

Edmond is initially hesitant about the idea, but soon becomes enthralled by the women he encounters - each with her unique back story and personality. As he spends more time at the brothel, his relationships with the sleeping women become increasingly intimate, with him sharing his deepest thoughts and fears with them. He develops a strong bond with an enigmatic woman named Rosy (played by Vadim Glowna), who seems to have a profound effect on him.

Throughout the film, Glowna portrays Edmond as a complex character who is struggling with his mortality and his place in the world. As a musician, he is accustomed to expressing himself through art and creativity, but now he finds himself adrift, unable to connect with the people around him. He is searching for meaning and a sense of belonging, and the women at the brothel become a surrogate family for him. Maximilian Schell, who plays a doctor, also makes an appearance in the film, offering a sympathetic ear to Edmond's woes.

The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning visuals and a haunting score by Matthias Raue. The film takes place almost entirely at the brothel, with dimly lit rooms and a dreamlike atmosphere that evokes a sense of quiet despair. Glowna's direction is elegant and understated, allowing the performances of the actors to shine through.

Although the premise of the movie may seem unconventional and even controversial, House of the Sleeping Beauties is not a film about sex or perversion. Instead, it is a poignant meditation on the fragility of human connections and the search for intimacy. It raises questions about what it means to be alive and how we can find meaning in a world that is sometimes cruel and indifferent.

In summary, House of the Sleeping Beauties is a haunting and melancholic film that explores themes of loneliness, mortality, and the search for intimacy. It features powerful performances from its cast and is a visually stunning work of art. Despite its unconventional subject matter, the movie is ultimately a touching and thought-provoking work that will stay with you long after the credits roll.

House of the Sleeping Beauties is a 2006 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 40 minutes. It has received poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.2 and a MetaScore of 21.