House of Pleasures (2011)

NR09/21/2011Drama2h 6m

Overview

The dawn of the 20th century: L’Apollonide, a luxurious and traditional brothel in Paris, is living its last days. In this closed world, where some men fall in love and others become viciously harmful, the women share their secrets, their fears, their joys and their pains.

Top Billed Cast

  1. Cast 1

    Noémie Lvovsky

    Marie-France

  2. Cast 1

    Hafsia Herzi

    Samira

  3. Cast 1

    Céline Sallette

    Clotilde

  4. Cast 1

    Jasmine Trinca

    Julie

  5. Cast 1

    Adèle Haenel

    Léa

  6. Cast 1

    Alice Barnole

    Madeleine

  7. Cast 1

    Iliana Zabeth

    Pauline

  8. Cast 1

    Judith Lou Lévy

    Prostitute

  9. Cast 1

    Pauline Jacquard

    Prostitute

Though utterly depressing pretty much from start to finish, this is still a compelling film to watch as we follow a group of girls who are caught up in the most vicious of circles. They all work for "Madame Marie-France" (Noémie Lvovsky) in her slightly upmarket, but now fairly jaded, brothel. It's not just a "knocking shop" - the girls are expected to entertain their guests, to chat, sip Champagne and indulge their paymasters in anything they want. It's a dangerous way of life for these women. They are mired in debt - a debt their hostess ensures never shrinks, how ever much they earn. Some o...