In celebration of the 40th anniversary of the original French classic, a two disc DVD set of Luis Buñuel’s masterpiece of erotica Belle De Jour and Portuguese centenarian director Manoel de Oliveira’s stunning follow up, Belle Toujours is to be released on 22nd June 2009.

Belle de Jour

Belle de Jour

In Belle De Jour we are introduced to Catherine Deneuve (Dancer In The Dark) in one of her most famous (and BAFTA award nominated) roles as the sumptuous Séverine Serizy, a beautiful young woman married to a handsome young surgeon. There is only one problem; she cannot bring herself to be physically intimate with him, instead indulging in vivid, kinky, erotic fantasies to entertain her sexual desires, eventually going so far as to become a prostitute, working in a brothel in the afternoons while remaining wholly chaste in her marriage.

Belle Toujours

Belle Toujours

Belle Toujours revisits the original Belle De Jour characters forty years later. At a concert Séverine is spotted by a man from her past, Henri Husson (Michel Piccoli – La Grande Bouffe), who holds the key to long-hidden secrets. He is fuelled by ego and a sadistic desire for revenge; she by fear and desire unrealised. Can their meeting lead to the truth and salvation for both of them?

Luis Buñuel 

Luis Buñuel had an epic and groundbreaking career and is widely regarded as one of the most important directors in the history of cinema. Devastating in his critique of society, its hypocrisy and morals, he is often remembered as one of the great pioneers of surrealism. He was nominated for two Oscars during his lifetime, alongside winning BAFTAs, Palm d’Ors and over 30 other awards.

Manoel de Oliveira 

Currently the oldest active film director in the world at 100 years old, Manoel de Oliveira is a giant of World Cinema, having been awarded two Career Golden Lions in 1985 and 2004, a Golden Palm for his lifetime achievements in 2008, and a host of other awards and nominations for Golden Globes, Palms and Bears amongst countless others.