Watch Premiers Desirs

Premiers Desirs, released in 1983, is a French coming-of-age film directed by David Hamilton. The film is set in the picturesque island of Porquerolles and stars Monica Broeke as Laura, a shy and introverted teenage girl who is experiencing her first flush of sexual awakening. Laura spends her summer vacation with her family in a beautiful villa on the island. Her parents are too busy with their social lives to pay much attention to her, leaving Laura to explore the island and make her own discoveries. Her naive innocence is soon shattered when she becomes attracted to the wealthy and suave Raoul (played by Patrick Bauchau), a family friend who is visiting the island with his girlfriend.

Raoul takes an interest in Laura, and she is enamored with him even though she is aware of his relationship status. Raoul's girlfriend, Claire, is a mature and sophisticated woman who is not threatened by Laura's infatuation with Raoul. She takes Laura under her wing and tries to teach her about life and love.

Meanwhile, Laura's parents' troubled marriage comes to the fore, as their constant bickering and infidelities mar their relationship. In contrast, Raoul and Claire's relationship is mature, open, and grounded in mutual respect and trust. Laura admires the maturity and sophistication of the adults around her and tries to emulate their behavior.

As the days pass, Laura's relationship with Raoul deepens, and she becomes more confident and assertive. However, her romantic notions of love are shattered when Raoul's girlfriend leaves him, and Raoul begins to treat Laura coldly. Laura realizes that she has been used by Raoul and that he never had any genuine feelings for her.

The film concludes with Laura returning home, wiser and more mature, having learned some tough lessons about the world and the nature of love. She is no longer the naive girl who arrived on the island and has grown through her experiences.

Premiers Desirs is a gentle and atmospheric film that explores the delicate and tumultuous emotions of a young woman going through the trials and tribulations of first love. The beauty of the island and the sensuousness of the film are a reflection of Laura's own awakening sensuality. The performances of the cast are subtle yet effective, with Monica Broeke excelling in her role as the shy and introverted Laura.

The film captures the essence of the French New Wave with its languid pacing, sensuous visuals, and a focus on character development over plot. David Hamilton's direction is sensitive and poetic, with an eye for detail and composition that elevates the film beyond mere melodrama.

In conclusion, Premiers Desirs is a poignant and bittersweet film about the transformative power of love and the inevitability of growing up. It is a classic of the coming-of-age genre, and Monica Broeke's tender and authentic portrayal of Laura is a standout performance. Fans of French cinema and coming-of-age stories will find much to enjoy in this classic film.