Simple Passion 2022

In the midst of her mundane routine as a literature professor and devoted mother to her preteen son Paul (perhaps), Hélène finds herself swept away by an all-consuming passion for Alexandre, a charming yet detached Russian diplomat stationed at the Parisian embassy. Their illicit trysts, often held in secret at her suburban home, are marked by a peculiar dynamic: Alexandre’s calculated detachment and Hélène’s ardent desire. As their affair intensifies, she becomes increasingly enthralled by his enigmatic presence, despite the fact that he is married and only visits when it suits him.

Hélène’s closest friend and confidant Anita serves as a voice of reason, warning her that this torrid love affair is doomed from the start. “You’re in love with love itself,” she cautions Hélène, whose obsessive nature only grows stronger as Alexandre announces his departure for several weeks to attend to matters with his wife. In an effort to distract herself from the pangs of longing, Hélène embarks on an impromptu trip to Florence with Paul, where she finds solace in a chance encounter with a sympathetic stranger.

Back in Paris, Hélène’s phone rings with the unmistakable voice of Alexandre, beckoning her for another clandestine meeting. After their passion is satiated, they engage in a brief, acrimonious dispute over Hélène’s choice of attire - a seemingly trivial matter that belies the depth of her emotions. As their trysts continue, Alexandre shares fragmented glimpses into his own life, revealing details about his childhood and the streets of Moscow where he resides.

In a moment of unbridled vulnerability, Hélène confesses her love to Alexandre during an intimate encounter, though his response is characteristically muted. When Alexandre reiterates his demand that she remain inaccessible during his next visit, Hélène pleads with him to stay, only to be rebuffed by his departure. Following a candid conversation with Anita, who implores her to reclaim some measure of control in this toxic dynamic, Hélène resolves to stand firm - yet ultimately finds herself powerless against the allure of Alexandre’s presence.

As the days turn into weeks without a word from Alexandre, Hélène’s anxiety reaches a fever pitch, prompting her to take matters into her own hands. She tracks him down at the embassy and arranges a clandestine meeting in a hotel room, only for him to fail to materialize the next day. Her phone calls to his office yield no answers, leading her to discover that he has returned to Moscow, leaving her feeling abandoned and bereft of explanation. The subsequent emotional fallout sees Hélène sink into a profound depression, neglecting both her work and her responsibilities as a mother to Paul. A visit from her ex-husband serves only to heighten the sense of responsibility she feels towards their son, as he chastises her for her lack of attention and dedication.

In the months that follow, Hélène appears to regain some semblance of control over her life, but beneath the surface, her emotions remain raw and vulnerable. She confides in her psychiatrist about a desperate impromptu trip she took to Moscow, where she wandered the streets of Tverskaya in the hopes of catching a glimpse of Alexandre.

Eight long months later, Hélène watches with pride as Paul takes to the football pitch, seemingly having put the past behind him. However, when Alexandre suddenly reappears on her doorstep, claiming he’s arrived for a visit, Hélène seizes the opportunity to rekindle their affair by hastily dispatching Paul to spend the night at a friend’s house. After surrendering to their desires, Hélène offers to drive Alexandre back to his hotel, but as they hit the road, she can’t help but wonder if this is the last time they’ll ever be together. Her expectations are quickly dashed when he calls her “my love” and disappears into the hotel, leaving a tearful Hélène standing alone in the night.