The British Film Institute has revealed that it is planning to release a Dual Format Edition of director Barbet Schroeder's Maitresse (1975), starring Gérard Depardieu, Bulle Ogier and André Rouyer. The preliminary release date set by the distributor is November 5th.
Originally confined to a handful of club cinemas upon its release, it was then given an 'X' certificate in 1981 after the BBFC requested a number of cuts. Presented here uncut for the first time on Blu-ray, Maîtresse is a stylish love story – costumes are by Karl Lagerfeld – with a dark undertone.
A young provincial (Depardieu) in search of adventure stumbles into the subterranean world of sadomasochism when he is implicated in the burglary of a Paris apartment. The apartment's mistress (Ogier) runs a two-floor operation, all respectability above and a dungeon of punishment-seeking clients below. After the young man becomes her upstairs lover, she finds that the two levels interfere with each other. Barbet Schroeder's Maitresse examines the line between fantasy and reality, decadence and deprivation, and the distance one will go for love.
The BFI have already released Dual Format Editions of director Schroeder's cult films More and La vallée. Blu-ray.com has reviewed them here and here.
Note: In the U.S., Maitresse is currently available only on DVD, courtesy of the Criterion Collection.
Update: The release has been detailed.
Presented in both High Definition and Standard Definition (Blu-ray and DVD)
Domestic Masochism: Barbet Schroeder's Maîtresse (2012, 28 mins): Dr Patricia MacCormack and Edward Lamberti analyse key scenes from Maîtresse
Theatrical trailers for Maîtresse, More (1969) and The Valley (1972)
Illustrated booklet featuring a newly commissioned essay by Dr Patricia MacCormack, a new interview with Barbet Schroeder and an original review
All of the Schroeder films that have been coming out through BFI feature new transfers supervised by the director. This one should not be an exception.
I'm really looking forward to picking this up. It has great performances and still has genuine shock value after all these years. BFI have done a great job with Mr. Schroeder's other films on blu ray.
