Before Carol, there was Olivia. Seventy years later, Jacqueline Audry’s romantic period piece remains a landmark of lesbian representation long overdue for rediscovery. Set in a 19th century French finishing school, new English boarder Olivia (Marie-Claire Olivia) quickly finds herself hot for her teacher—the migraine-prone Mademoiselle Clara (Cat People’s Simone Simon)—and her headmistress, Mademoiselle Julie (BAFTA-nominated Edwige Feuillere). Lace and repressed lust abound as affections and attachments fly and the students’ greatest lessons prove to be those of love and attraction. 

In French with English subtitles.

An Icarus Films / Distrib Films US release.