La Collectionneuse

The events unfold during a sun-soaked European summer in the 1960s, a period of relaxed social mores and modern urban sensibilities. The pace is languid, with days spent swimming, reading, and flirting, reflecting the era's casual approach to romance and reputation.

Set near Saint-Tropez on the French Riviera, a sun-drenched resort area known for its beaches and yachts. The house rented by Rodolphe sits in a private coastal setting ideal for a languid summer retreat. The locale's opulence and leisure amplify the social play and tensions among the visitors.

🔥 Desire

Desire acts as both lure and instrument for the characters. Haydée embodies a restless appetite for attention, earning her the label 'collectionneuse.' Adrien uses charm to entice and maneuver, while trying to restrain himself, highlighting how attraction can drive actions beyond moral boundaries.

⚖️ Morality

A central tension is Adrien's moral code, which forbids sex with Haydée even as he enables others or pursues his own interests. The trio navigates consent, manipulation, and social norms, revealing how easy it is to double-talk morality during carefree summers.

🎭 Performance

Characters perform social roles and cultivate façades to sustain appearances. The villa, dinners, and car rides function as stages where charm, desire, and judgment are performed rather than openly shared. The line between truth and performance blurs as personal relationships shift.