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.
Bilitis | |
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Directed by | David Hamilton |
Written by | Robert Boussinot Catherine Breillat Jacques Nahum Pierre Louÿs (poem cycle) |
Produced by | Sylvio Tabet Malcolm J. Thomson |
Starring | Patti D'Arbanville |
Music by | Francis Lai |
Release date |
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Running time | 95 minutes |
Country | France |
Language | French |
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]
A teenage schoolgirl spends the summer with a couple whose marriage is strained, and develops a lesbian crush on the wife. Meanwhile, she pursues a local teenage boy and tries to find a "suitable male lover" for the wife.[2]
Although Bilitis can be described as a coming of age film the title character, Bilitis, ends up returning to school at the end of the film, realizing that she is not yet ready for adulthood.
The film was shot in the same soft focus style that was characteristic of David Hamilton's photography and his other films.
In 1977, Hamilton released a photobook, Bilitis, which included the most memorable images from the film.
Chart (1978) | Peak position |
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Australia (Kent Music Report)[3] | 60 |
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