An Affair of Love 2000

Frédéric Fonteynes’ Une Liaison Pornographique (titled An Affair of Love in the US) presents an unconventional and captivating love story that unfolds in reverse. Every Thursday, two anonymous individuals, simply referred to as He and She, rendezvous at the same hotel and café to explore their sexual desires. Their anonymity is reminiscent of characters in Alain Renais’ classic films, such as Hiroshima Mon Amour (1958) and Last Year at Marienbad (1961). However, instead of delving into memories or the aftermath of war, this tale focuses on the challenges faced by two people who struggle to connect emotionally and communicate effectively.

She, portrayed by Nathalie Baye, is a confident woman in her mid-forties who seeks to fulfill a sexual fantasy. To achieve this, she places a classified ad in a pornographic magazine. He, played by Sergi Lopez, a handsome man ten years her junior, responds to her ad. As they occupy different spaces, they recount their journey to an unseen interviewer, whose identity remains a mystery. Their narratives about the initial encounter are filled with inconsistencies, yet the deep emotions stemming from their passionate affair and the tragic conclusion remain vivid. The narrative unfolds through a series of flashbacks, seamlessly interwoven with the characters’ commentary.

During their tense first meeting in the café, She displays initial reservation while He appears shy, despite giving off a more macho vibe. As they sit across from each other, engaged in a somewhat awkward conversation, He is taken by surprise when She casually mentions that she has already reserved a hotel room for them.

After registering at the hotel, they ascend to their room, with the door closing behind them and the camera left outside, only to return to the street where they confirm their next rendezvous for the following Thursday. This routine continues weekly for months. However, as their sexual escapade evolves, genuine feelings begin to take precedence. The attraction that sparked from their first meeting morphs into something deeper, culminating in She confessing her love to He. They venture back to the hotel, and for the first time, viewers are granted a glimpse into their intimate space as they share a more profound connection.

Ultimately, they must confront the reality that a deeper, traditional commitment awaits them. This realization dawns upon them when a perplexing incident occurs: an elderly stranger, played by Paul Pavel, mistakenly enters their room and is later discovered deceased in the hallway. This unexpected event thrusts them into the complexities of the outside world as a couple for the first time, highlighting potential futures should they choose to evolve their relationship.

As their final meeting at the café approaches, both individuals come to a personal decision about moving towards a commitment. Yet, in an ironic twist of fate, their inability to articulate their desires leads to a heartbreaking separation, each unsure of the other’s intentions. Returning to the present and their interview with the mysterious figure, both remain tight-lipped about the true nature of the woman’s fantasy, with She succinctly declaring, > “It was an act of love. It could have been anything.”