Nymphomaniac (2013)
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A self-diagnosed nymphomaniac recounts her libidinous life to a bachelor who helps her recover from an assault.
The story
A highly educated but cloistered middle-aged bachelor named Seligman finds a woman named Joe beaten up and lying in an alleyway. He takes her to his home, where she begins to recount the story of her libidinous life. As she shares her experiences, Seligman finds himself listening to her narrative, which spans from her adolescence to adulthood. The story is told in a series of chapters, detailing Joe's promiscuous lifestyle and the various relationships she has entered into over the years. The narrative is split into two volumes, exploring her journey through different stages of her life and her internal conflicts regarding her identity and desires.
Full plot (contains spoilers)
The film follows Joe, a woman who identifies as a nymphomaniac, as she recounts her life to Seligman, a man who finds her in an alleyway. The narrative covers her upbringing, her early sexual experiences, and her involvement in 'The Little Flock.' It details her professional life, her relationship with Jerôme, and her eventual physical and emotional toll. In the second half, the story delves into her experiences with BDSM, her struggle with fertility, and her eventual isolation from society. The story concludes with a confrontation between Joe and Seligman, where she finally feels unburdened by her story. In the final scene, Seligman attempts to assault her, but she defends herself with a gun and flees.
- First release year
- 2013
- Runtime (minutes)
- 241
- Production countries
- Denmark; Germany; France; Belgium
- Original languages
- English
- Directors
- Lars von Trier
- Writers
- Lars von Trier · writer
- Cast and characters
- Charlotte Gainsbourg · Joe; Stellan Skarsgård · Seligman; Stacy Martin · Young Joe; Shia LaBeouf · Jerôme Morris; Christian Slater · Joe's Father; Jamie Bell · K; Uma Thurman · Mrs. H; Willem Dafoe · L
- Genres
- erotic drama; art film
- Themes
- sexuality; identity; loneliness
- Tone and mood
- erotic; darkly funny
- Premise and plot tags
- non-linear narrative; period piece
- Reception
- The film received generally favorable reviews, with critics praising the bold performances and the director's vision, though some noted the length was daunting and the inclusion of unsimulated sex was polarizing.
- Awards and nominations
- Nordic Council Film Prize · Film · 2014 · Nomination
- Production trivia
- The film was nominated for the 2014 Nordic Council Film Prize.
Film metadata comes from the open sources listed in Credits & Contact. Catalogue details may be incomplete.
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