Title: That obscure object of desire /
Authors: Buñuel, Luis, 1900-1983,; Rey, Fernando, 1917-1994,; Molina, Angela,; Silberman, Serge,; Carrière, Jean-Claude, 1931-2021; Bouquet, Carole,; Molina, Angela,; Louÿs, Pierre, 1870-1925.; Films Galaxie (Firm)
Publisher: Films Galaxie,
Year: 1977
Subjects: Sex addiction; Multiple personality; Man-woman relationships; Romance fiction; Catholics; Youth; Surrealism; Men Sexual behavior; Spain Social life and customs Drama.; Spain Economic conditions.
Abstract: In his final film, Luis Bunuel decided to use two actresses, Angela Molina and Julien Bertheau, to represent the two sides of a tempestuous young flamenco dancer. Against a backdrop of terrorist bombs and social unrest, Mathieu a wealthy Frenchman becomes frustrated and humiliated as he pursues Conchita, a young woman from Sevilla. Their violent relationship is complicated by the fact that Conchita is determined to remain a virgin until she is married. After boarding a train, much to the surprise of his fellow passengers, Mathieu pours a bucket of water over Conchita while she stands on the platform. As the train leaves Conchita standing in the station, Mathieu explains to his fellow passengers how he came to be obsessed by her. Beware of obsession appears to be the message that permeates Bunuel's surreal romance, but a parallel theme is the hypocrisy of Spanish society in the fading atmosphere of Franco's Spain. This is one of several motion pictures that were adapted from the French novel La Femme et le Pantin, by Pierre Louÿs.