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Maîtresse
A film by Barbet Schroeder
Starring Gérard Depardieu and Bulle Ogier

Released on 5 November, Barbet Schroeder’s Maîtresse (1976) was his fourth feature, and caused controversy with its graphic scenes of torture and fetishism. Originally confined to a handful of club cinemas upon its release, it was then given an ‘X’ certificate in 1981 after the BBFC requested a number of cuts. Presented here uncut on DVD and, for the first time, on Blu-ray, Maîtresse is a stylish love story – costumes are by Karl Lagerfeld – with a dark undertone.

When Olivier, played by a youthful Gérard Depardieu, breaks into an unassuming Parisian apartment he inadvertently enters the world of leather-clad dominatrix Ariane (Bulle Ogier), who entertains clients in her cold-black marble and neon dungeon. Olivier’s fascination with Ariane soon turns to love, forcing him to question his own assumptions about sex, perversion and power.

Barbet Schroeder, who went on to make Barfly (1987), Reversal of Fortune (1990) and Single White Female (1992) in Hollywood, was aiming to achieve a wholly non-judgmental exploration of the more extreme side of human sexuality, to strip it of its association with fascism and oppression. He called on the services of a real Parisian dominatrix who supplied on-set advice and much of her own equipment and also used several of her actual clients in the scenes where Ariane imprisons, abuses and humiliates them.

Special features

• Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition (Blu-ray and DVD);
• Domestic Masochism: Barbet Schroeder’s Maîtresse (2012, 28 mins): Dr Patricia MacCormack and Edward Lamberti analyse key scenes from Maîtresse;
• Theatrical trailers for Maîtresse, More (1969) and The Valley (1972);
• Illustrated booklet featuring a newly commissioned essay by Dr Patricia MacCormack, a new interview with Barbet Schroeder and an original review

Product details

RRP: £19.99 / cat. no. BFIB1041 / Cert 18
France / 1976 / colour / French with English subtitles / 113 mins / Original aspect ratio 1.66:1
Disc 1: BD50 / 1080p / 24fps / PCM mono 2.0 audio (48k/16-bit)
Disc 2: DVD9 / PAL / Dolby Digital mono audio (320kbps)

To mark the centenary of the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) in 2012, BFI Southbank presents Uncut!, a season of films which have been either banned or censored in the last century of cinema, curated by critic Mark Kermode and Professor in Film Studies at Southampton University Linda Ruth Williams. Taking place from 1 – 30 November 2012, this season will give film fans a chance to see some of the most contentious films ever made in their complete version on the big screen and will aim to illustrate how the BBFC’s attitudes to confrontational material have changed over the years.

The BFI revisited this volatile film in 2012 for a dual-format release containing a Blu-Ray and DVD, both from a new HD transfer. It's quite a beauty, maintaining the usual perfect 1.66:1 framing and conveying the sleek, dark compositions with beautiful clarity. The colors are beautifully intense when they should be, especially the jolting violet of Ariane's cloak and the steely cold blues of her chic work chamber.

Matt wrote:Too bad BFI and Criterion can't just collaborate on joint releases better. I can't imagine it's a priority for Criterion to get this out on Blu-ray, but here they are "protecting" the US market as if it is.

peerpee wrote:It's the silliest, most petty, and annoying part of the whole industry. Great being able to completely ignore it with a multi-region Blu-ray player though.