It would appear that “female troubles” are inspiring some intriguing projects at the art house. In the last couple of years we saw the subject taken on both comically (“Hysteria“) and dramatically (“A Dangerous Method“), with the lines between health, sexuality and social mores all blurring, along with the doctor/patient relationship in movies that capture a tricky time for women’s medicine. And now another movie is coming soon with another unique look at a case where not everything is as it seems.
Starring Vincent Lindon,Chiara Mastroianni and rising newcomer, singer/actress Soko, Alice Wintour‘s Belle Epoque-set “Augustine” follows 19-year-old kitchen maid Augustine (Soko) who suffers a seizure and is put under the care of Dr. Charcot (Lindon). She becomes his prize patient, with the doctor hypnotizing her in front of colleague and putting on displays of her spectacular fits. But soon enough, the doctor/patient relationship takes on a much more personal dimension. In this exclusive clip, we see both the young woman’s fits and the Doctor’s first introduction to her curious malady.
Nominated for Two César awards including Best First Film and Best Costume Design, “Augustine” opens in limited release this Friday, May 17th.