Ecstasy (319)

**Ecstasy** is a 319 erotic histrorical Novacian film focusing on the reign of Phillipe IX of Varsais, and the Republican-Seperatist Movement lead by Pierre Rioux. It was directed by Gustaf Petrokhovic and written by Harrison Carter, though Carter disavowed the film after learning of Petrokhovic's reshoots.

The film starred Marcella Hughes Clark as Amarie, a charecter created as the film's protagonist. She interacts with historical figures, Peter Rioux (Douglas Cadick), Vivienne II (Ellyn Varasian) and Phillipe IX (Phillip Putain). It was produced on a budget of 58 million Dukats and grossed 62 million, despite widespread protest and controversy.

## Plot

Alexander VIII of Varsais dies, leaving his daughter, Vivienne II, as Queen of Varsais. Due to Salic laws, the rule of the nation falls into the hands of her husband, Philipe IX, a rich but formerly middle ranking noble who’s father bailed out the monarchy in exchange for the marriage.

A small movement on the sidelines of society is calling for reforms, but the King pays them no mind. Instead, he builds a new palace out of Maereynde. Vivienne grows concerned with her husband’s conduct after he seizes several beautiful young women from the capital to staff his palace and entertain his guests.

Phillipe reforms the church to appease his increasing and disturbing sexual appetites. He kidnaps the daughter of a local and well liked silversmith named Amerie, which angers her friend, Pierre Rioux. Amerie is taken to the Maereynde palace, where she is forced to indulge the Kings sexual perversions.

Protests are ramping up across the capital as Phillipe changes the law to allow him to have sex with widows or kill women over 70 if he does not find them attractive. He rapes the mother of a member of government, she kills herself publicly after loudly declaring the King’s disgustingness. Riots break out, and the King’s guards retaliate by burning down the house of the protests leaders. Pierre Rioux spits on Varsais and his name, rallying a large exodus from the country and negotiating with the horrified Kordynian government to purchase the Unorganized Territory on the Kordynian-Garmanese border.

A war in Cigaltria leads to the exile of the Marquess Maria della Vento di Dandizo, who quickly ingratiates herself in court, feeding into the King’s delusion. Philippe begins to leave Vivienne locked in the Palace, taking long trips with the Marquess to his sex palace. The Marquess begins whispering into the King’s ear, leading to him to forcibly pressure the Kingdoms of Garman into fealty. Amerie is prostituted out to the King’s degenerate circle, who violate her and leave her battered. She swears revenge.

Inspired by the Marquess, the King declares his right to bed any woman in the Kingdom he wants. At the same time, the Hybretian Duke Daelin is looking for a rallying force in the west, and calls to create a Pan-Continental Coalition. Philippe attempts to force Folkvangr into fealty, and attempts to fund Kygonese warlords. Kolangrad, The Republic of Haven, and Drekheim join the Coalition. Phillipe’s reforms continue to scandalize. The Marquess tells him of his divine right to Empire, and he launches a failed expedition to try and find the mythologized city of Imperia. The fleet never returns.

Marcas, King of Garman, publicly disavows his treaty with Varsais over the King’s salacious conduct. Duke Daelin immediately backs him, as does Pierre Rioux. Vivienne tries to keep the situation calm, but the Marquess tells the king his divine chance has come. The War of 241 erupts, and as the war continues to go poorly for the army, the King spends his time as usual in his pleasure palace. On King’s Day, the Marquess declares Phillipe Varisian Emperor, angering Emperor Arthwr III. Kordynian soldiers join the war, and soon the capital is surrounded.

Templari’i ships appear during the siege and attack the city. Phillipe, shocked that his divine rule is crumbling, tries to flee. Amerie is taken with him as he and the guards flee north. She reveals that he had forced himself on his guards’ wives, who viciously turn on him and deliver him directly to the Novacians. Pierre Rioux and Amerie watch as he is executed by the Kordynian army, and the film ends with Rioux smiling as the executioner's axe is heard dropping.

## Controversy

Ecstasy was banned in the Beylik of Selizüyük for gross indecency and an international boycott was held against it. Scenes of the rape of Amerie were excised in the theatrical release in Pandora.

The film was popular in Varsais and Novac for it's political motifs, but was still widely derided for it's excessive nudity and sexual content, which was considered disturbing. The Hybretian government widely distributed the film, which allegedly the Emperor was a great fan of. He later married the actress playing Amerie in 322.