Bilitis (film)

1977 French film

16 March 1977 (1977-03-16)

Running time

95 minutesCountryFranceLanguageFrench

Bilitis is a 1977 French romantic and erotic drama film, directed by photographer David Hamilton, with a music score by Francis Lai. It stars Patti D'Arbanville and Mona Kristensen as the title character Bilitis and Melissa, respectively.

The film is loosely based on a poem cycle by Pierre Louÿs entitled The Songs of Bilitis set in ancient Greece, although the film is set in modern Europe. The poems were meant to be autobiographical works by the title character.^[1]

Synopsis

Bilitis, a teenage schoolgirl, spends the summer with her aunt Melissa and her unfaithful husband Pierre, a couple whose marriage is strained, and develops a lesbian crush on Melissa. Meanwhile, she pursues Lucas, a local teenage boy, and tries to find a "suitable male lover" for Melissa.^[2]

Bilitis' sexual adventure eventually lead to an unhappy result, and she decides to return to school alone.

Cast

Patti D'Arbanville as Bilitis
Mona Kristensen as Melissa
Bernard Giraudeau as Lucas
Gilles Kohler as Pierre
Mathieu Carrière as Nikias
Irka Bochenko as Prudence
Jacqueline Fontaine as Head Mistress
Marie-Thérèse Caumont as Sub-Principal
Germaine Delbat as Principal
Madeleine Damien as Nanny
Camille Larivière as Susy
Catherine Leprince as Helen
Sabine Froute as Sabine

Production

The film was shot in the same soft focus style that was characteristic of David Hamilton's photography and his other films.

Companion book

In 1977, Hamilton released a photobook, Bilitis, which included the most memorable images from the film.

Soundtrack charts

Chart (1978)	Peak position
Australia (Kent Music Report)^[3]	60

References

^ Louÿs' work is credited in the film and soundtrack album and the book about the film.
^ "Bilitis (1977)". Film Fanatic. Retrieved December 20, 2012.
^ Kent, David (1993). Australian Chart Book 1970–1992 (illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 172. ISBN 0-646-11917-6.