Catherine Breillat’s portrayal of women in film delves deeply into themes of shame and desire, often showing how society burdens them with expectations.
In A Real Young Girl, Alice's self-degrading fantasies demonstrate how shame can drive a young woman’s sexual exploration, highlighting society's dual expectations.
Breillat's work confronts the taboo surrounding female sexuality, suggesting that women are not merely passive victims but rather active participants in their own narratives.
Her characters, like the suicidal woman in Anatomy of Hell, reveal the complexities of female desire and societal constraints, exploring the darker sides of intimacy.