Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour

Year: 1967

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: French

DramaRomanceIntense violence and sexual transgressionMoving relationship storiesErotic relationships and desire

Buñuel’s erotic drama follows Séverine Serizy, a young housewife torn between masochistic fantasies and her life with husband Pierre. After friend Henri mentions a discreet, upscale brothel run by Madame Anaïs, she works there as Belle de Jour. When a client becomes obsessive, Séverine must confront her double life and try to return to normalcy.

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Timeline & Setting – Belle de Jour (1967)

Explore the full timeline and setting of Belle de Jour (1967). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Paris, Ski resort

The action unfolds in Paris with key scenes at a discreet high-class brothel and a snowy ski resort. Paris serves as the domestic stage where Séverine maintains appearances, while the ski resort backdrop hints at escapist leisure. The brothel, run by Madame Anaïs, stands as the center of Séverine’s transformation into Belle de Jour.

❄️ Snowy setting 🗼 Paris nightlife 🏨 Brothel environment

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:29

Main Characters – Belle de Jour (1967)

Meet the key characters of Belle de Jour (1967), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Séverine Serizy (Catherine Deneuve)

A young housewife whose sexual life is constrained by social norms. She secretly pursues erotic fantasies and becomes Belle de Jour at a high-class brothel, leading a dangerous double life that tests her loyalties and self-image.

💃 Inner conflict 🔒 Secret life 💑 Marriage

Marcel (Pierre Clémenti)

A reckless young criminal who offers Séverine the thrill of danger and passionate pursuit. His jealousy and pressure threaten to expose her secret, pushing the relationship toward volatile consequences.

🎭 Roguish 🔫 Danger 💥 Jealousy

Pierre Serizy (Jean Sorel)

Séverine's husband, a respected doctor who loves his wife but remains unaware of her secret life. His life is gravely altered when violence spills over from Séverine's world, leaving him paralyzed and dependent.

💑 Husband 🩺 Doctor ⚖️ Vulnerability

Madame Anaïs (Geneviève Page)

Owner of a high-class brothel who runs a discreet operation and gives Séverine the pseudonym Belle de Jour. She offers guidance and a gateway to forbidden pleasures while maintaining firm control.

🏨 Brothel owner 🎯 Gatekeeper 💼 Discretion

Henri Husson (Michel Piccoli)

An acquaintance who admires Séverine but exposes his predatory curiosity. He flirts with her and later withdraws, complicating her emotional landscape and underscoring the fragility of desire.

💬 Desire 🥀 Ambition 🗝️ Temptation

Renée (Macha Méril)

Séverine's friend who previously introduced her to the world of pleasure through Henriette's circle. She serves as a catalyst for Séverine's choices and provides social context for the alternative life.

👭 Friendship 🧭 Social circle 🕯️ Secrets

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:29

Major Themes – Belle de Jour (1967)

Explore the central themes of Belle de Jour (1967), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🔒 Secret Life

Séverine sustains a double life, presenting a respectable housewife image while secretly exploring erotic fantasies as Belle de Jour. This hidden world creates tension between public propriety and private longing. The brothel becomes a sanctuary where social rules momentarily dissolve, exposing hidden desires.

🔥 Desire vs Duty

The narrative pits marital affection and domestic duty against raw sexual appetite. Séverine’s encounters challenge her sense of self and threaten the stability of her marriage. Pursuing freedom carries psychological and social costs that ripple through her life.

🎭 Identity & Illusion

The story blurs performance and reality as Séverine traverses roles—wife, lover, and Belle de Jour. The boundaries between fantasy and everyday life become cloudy, shaping how others perceive her. The ending leaves ambiguity about which experiences were real and which were imagined.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 15:29

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Belle de Jour Summary

Read a complete plot summary of Belle de Jour, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

Belle de Jour Summary

Belle de Jour Timeline

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Belle de Jour Timeline

More About Belle de Jour

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