This French drama is definitely controversial as it chronicles the sexual awakening of an 11 year old girl at the hands of a 50-year old man. The film tries to present it in a positive, and beautiful way, alluding to the fact that the curious girl wanted it to happen. The viewer can decide whether or not the film is beautiful or whether it is a glossy excuse for pedophilia. It is set just after World War II. A man has discovered and read Celine's diary which is filled with sexual longing and sensuality. The child herself, only portrayed as a photograph, describes her relations with a recently widowed hairdresser. The film contains little formal dialog and mostly focuses upon the daily lives of the people involved. The setting of the seduction is shown, but not the seduction itself.
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Not on any streaming service in United States, and not available to rent.
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Cast
18 people
Nini Crépon
Le récitant
Also in
Dr. Petiot
The Leopard
Hugues Desmichelle
Pomme Meffre
Edmonde Benoist
Céline (sur la photo)
Aurèle Giraud
Isabelle Sadoyan
Grand-mère Lola
Philippe Adrien
Monsieur Feuillanbois
Also in
Gloria Mundi
Green Harvest
Brigitte Roüan
La mère Bonin
Known for
Love at First Fight
Based on a True Story
Maya Vignando
Odette
Henri Meffre
Frantz
Joseph Cohen
Lionel
Jean Laroquette
Monsieur Charret
Pomme Meffre Director
First release June 8, 1994 · Original title Péché véniel... péché mortel...
Languages
Original title
Péché véniel... péché mortel...
Original language
French
Spoken on screen
French
Release dates
France · June 8, 1994
Theatrical
No release date listed for United States.
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Some details come from TheTVDB.