Claire Denis

Claire Denis is one of France's most acclaimed and original filmmakers. Since her remarkable debut success with Chocolat (1986), she has produced an impressive series of features which have been intriguing, visually striking, and often highly controversial--including Beau Travail (2000) and Trouble Every Day (2001). Beugnet provides a thematic and stylistic framework within which to consider Denis' work, as well as a comprehensive analysis of individual films. She highlights the resonance of Denis' films in relation to ongoing debates about French national identity and culture, and issues of postcolonial identity, alienation and transgression, as well as examining their exploration of the interface between sexuality, desire and sensuality.This is an essential introduction to Denis, and a sophisticated and illuminating study of her work to date.

Martine Beugnet is Lecturer in European Film Studies at Edinburgh University.