Watch Mademoiselle

Mademoiselle, a 1966 film starring Jeanne Moreau, Ettore Manni, and Keith Skinner, is a French-language drama set in a small farming community in post-World War II France. Moreau plays the titular character, a mysterious and enigmatic woman who arrives in town with a seemingly innocent job - helping to rid the farms of the area of the infestation of vermin. But beneath that veneer of friendliness and helpfulness lies a darker side to Mademoiselle, as she slowly but surely sets out to wreak havoc on the people of the town.

The film opens with a pastoral scene of the countryside around the town of Preux-au-Bois, with the camera framing the town and its surrounding farms in a way that highlights the beauty of the area. But this idyllic vision is soon shattered as the camera pans to a small pond, where Mademoiselle is seen bathing naked. It's an unexpected and provocative scene, one that sets the tone for a movie that is full of contrasts and shifting moods.

Mademoiselle is first introduced to us through the eyes of one of the townspeople, a young man named Manou (played by Keith Skinner). He's a handsome, affable sort, and he's immediately drawn to Mademoiselle, who exudes a kind of sexual energy that's hard to resist. But as he spends more time with her, he begins to sense that there's something darker going on beneath the surface.

Mademoiselle is employed by the town council to help deal with the rats that have infested the farms around the area. At first, she seems to be doing a great job, and the farmers are grateful for her help. But as time goes on, it becomes clear that Mademoiselle is using her position to manipulate the townspeople for her own nefarious purposes.

Moreau is absolutely mesmerizing in the role of Mademoiselle. She plays the character with a kind of detached coolness that's both alluring and unnerving. She's clearly a troubled woman, but we're never quite sure what demons she's battling with. In one scene, she's seen smashing a porcelain figurine with a hammer, and it's a moment that's both cathartic and terrifying.

As the film progresses, Mademoiselle's true nature starts to reveal itself. She begins to seduce and manipulate the men of the town, using her sexuality to get what she wants. But it's not just the men who are drawn under her spell - even the animals seem to be affected by her presence. There's a memorable scene where Mademoiselle walks through a field of cows, and they all start to gather around her, as though they're in thrall to her.

One of the most striking things about Mademoiselle is its use of imagery. Director Tony Richardson and cinematographer David Watkin create a series of unforgettable tableaux that stay with you long after the film has ended. There's a scene where Mademoiselle is seen riding a horse through a field of poppies, and the colors are so vivid and intense that it's almost overwhelming.

The film is also notable for its use of sound. The haunting score, composed by Antoine Duhamel, is both beautiful and eerie, and the sound design is used to great effect to convey a sense of unease and disorientation.

Mademoiselle is a film that leaves a lot of questions unanswered. We never really find out what Mademoiselle's motivations are, or what kind of past she's running from. But in a way, that just makes her all the more compelling. Moreau's performance is so captivating that we're willing to follow her down whatever dark alleyway she chooses to lead us.

Overall, Mademoiselle is a challenging and thought-provoking film that rewards repeated viewings. It's a portrait of a troubled woman in troubled times, and it's a reminder that even the most beautiful things can contain dark and dangerous secrets.