French Film Review: Madame Claude

Sassy, smart and blatantly sexy, this is an energetic thrill-ride through the exploits of real-life society madam Madame Claude. It’s 1960s Paris and Fernande Grudet (Rocher) decides to make her way in a man’s world – “they treat us like whores, so I decided to be the queen of whores,” she says.

Before long she is running an exclusive establishment in the swish 16th arrondissement offering services to international stars, the Mafia and the higher echelons of French government. Which is where it gets messy. Tonally, it’s bang on, treading a fine line between female empowerment and objectification in what is a dangerous business. A peppy soundtrack and fabulous fashions add to the allure.

Director: Sylvie Verheyde
Starring: Karole Rocher, Garance Marillier, Roschdy Zem

From France Today magazine