De Gregorio and screenwriter Michael Graham’s second take on the author (following Sérail, also showing in this series) is an adaptation of The Aspern Papers. Affirming the universality of James’ worldview, the story is transposed from 19th-century Venice to 20th-century Lisbon as Jean Sorel puts the moves on shy Bulle Ogier (in her second film for the director) to get at her dowager aunt Alida Valli’s storied cache of poems from a famous lover.

Print courtesy of the British Film Institute

Please note: the print we are screening is slightly faded.