Sylvia Kristel’s “Sexuality” as Remembered in the 50th Anniversary Re-Screening of “Madame Emmanuelle
To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Japanese release of “Madame Emmanuelle,” which starred Sylvia Kristel and took Japan by storm, 4K restored and digitally remastered versions of “Madame Emmanuelle,” “Sequel to Madame Emmanuelle” and “Goodbye Madame Emmanuelle” will be released on December 29.
French director Juste Jacin’s sweet, soft-touch depiction of a diplomat’s wife, played by Christelle, who is transferred to Bangkok, Thailand, and her sexual awakening, along with sensual sex scenes, was called “soft pornography” and was a big hit with women at the time.
It was called “soft pornography” and was a big hit with women at the time.
It is also said to have “helped liberate Japanese women’s sexuality.
The film was made into a series, “Sequel to Madame Emmanuelle” (1975), which was set in Hong Kong, and “Farewell Madame Emmanuelle” (1977). Christelle also captivated audiences with her daring scenes in “Marge at Dawn” (’76) and “Madame Chatterley’s Lover” (’82).
I had interviewed her in January ’77 when she came to Japan for the campaign of the movie “Brilliant Relations. She was 24 years old at the time.
She was wearing a white blouse with no bra underneath, and I remember being overwhelmed by the sexy scent that floated in the air, as if Mrs. Emmanuelle had appeared right in front of me. Her body language and eloquence were impressive.
She said that she herself was quite different from the sexually uninhibited Madame Emmanuelle that Christelle played.
She is a diplomat’s wife with an uncomplicated life. She has free time, so she goes on adventures in search of men and women. I’m the type of person who reads books in my spare time.
She seemed puzzled by the image of the “sexual adventurer” circulating around the world.
She also revealed her unique thoughts on marriage and love.
I don’t like signing life contracts. I want to be with the person I love, but I don’t want to get married. If a marriage breaks down, you have to get a divorce. That requires a lot of paperwork and procedures.
I don’t think love is simply a relationship between a man and a woman. For example, when you take a walk in Paris and are surprised to see a bridge painted orange. I think such a small joy is also love. Love is the most important thing in life.
In her personal life, she has had a colorful history. She lived with British actor Ian McShane and had a son together, but the relationship broke up. She was married and divorced twice, once to a film producer and once to a woman. She died on October 17, 2012, at the age of 60.
She spent her last years living with a younger man and painting in Amsterdam, Holland, where she was born.
The “Lady Emmanuelle” is being screened again after 50 years since the release of the first film. I remember the shock I felt when I saw it in the screening room of Herald Pictures, the film’s distributor at the time.
It will be interesting to see what young women today think of Christel’s brilliant and sensual “soft pornography,” which includes lesbian scenes and “masturbation” scenes.
Text: Ryo Sakamoto (Writer, former head of Culture and Society Department of "Tokyo Sports Newspaper Co.)
Writes articles on entertainment, movies, Hollywood information, etc., including the web magazine "PlusαToday". Member of the Japan Film Pen Club.
PHOTO: Kyodo News Agency