Belle de Jour (1967)
"Belle de Jour" is a 1967 French film directed by Luis Buñuel and starring Catherine Deneuve. The film tells the story of a young woman named Séverine Serizy (played by Deneuve) who leads a seemingly conventional life as a housewife, but secretly works as a prostitute at a brothel during the day.
The film explores themes of sexuality, fetishism, and the hidden desires and fantasies of its characters. "Belle de Jour" was a critical and commercial success, and is considered one of Buñuel's most accessible and mainstream films. It was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Screenplay and won the Golden Bear at the Berlin International Film Festival.
Catherine Deneuve's performance in the film helped solidify her status as one of the leading actresses of her generation, and the film is widely regarded as one of her best. The film's cinematography and stylish visuals, as well as its surrealist and dreamlike elements, have helped it earn a reputation as a classic of international cinema.
Overall, "Belle de Jour" is considered a landmark of European art house film, and its influence can be seen in the work of later filmmakers such as Pedro Almodóvar.
