Summer Films
Olive Parker selects 10 films that capture the beauty and intensity of a long, hot summer
Film critic Olive Parker has chosen 10 films that approach summer's hedonism in more perverse ways. According to Parker, these films capture the beauty and intensity of a long, hot summer. The list includes films like Last Summer, Accident, and Crazed Fruit, which explore the darker sides of sex and obsession.
Film Selection
Parker's selection includes a range of films from different decades and countries. Last Summer, a 2023 film by Catherine Breillat, follows a married lawyer who embarks on an affair with her teenage stepson. Accident, a 1967 film by Joseph Losey, turns a languid English summer into a study of sexual rivalry. Crazed Fruit, a 1956 film by Kō Nakahira, is a sensational summer drama that follows two brothers competing for the affections of a married woman.
Common Themes
Many of the films on Parker's list explore common themes of desire, lust, and obsession. Films like Claire's Knee, La Piscine, and Stranger by the Lake feature characters who become fixated on each other, often with devastating consequences. These films use the summer setting to heighten the sense of tension and desire, creating a sense of urgency and intensity.
Notable Films
Some notable films on Parker's list include Je t'aime moi non plus, a 1976 drama by Serge Gainsbourg, and Wild Things, a 1998 thriller by John McNaughton. Je t'aime moi non plus is a singular film that features a romance between a truck-stop waitress and a rugged trucker, despite the fact that he is already in a relationship with a man. Wild Things is a cult-classic 'skin flick' that follows a high-school guidance counsellor accused of rape by two female students, featuring an ensemble cast and a labyrinthine investigation.
Film Details
Here are the films on Parker's list, along with their release years and directors:
| Film | Release Year | Director |
|---|---|---|
| Last Summer | 2023 | Catherine Breillat |
| Accident | 1967 | Joseph Losey |
| Crazed Fruit | 1956 | Kō Nakahira |
| Claire's Knee | 1970 | Éric Rohmer |
| La Piscine | 1969 | Jacques Deray |
| Stranger by the Lake | 2013 | Alain Guiraudie |
| Jamón Jamón | 1992 | Bigas Luna |
| Je t'aime moi non plus | 1976 | Serge Gainsbourg |
| Frivolous Lola | 1998 | Tinto Brass |
| Wild Things | 1998 | John McNaughton |
Parker's list is a testament to the power of film to capture the intensity and beauty of the summer season. By exploring themes of desire, lust, and obsession, these films create a sense of urgency and tension that is both captivating and unsettling. As Parker notes, each film on her list captures the beauty and intensity of a long, hot summer, leaving its characters changed forever. The film Wild Things, in particular, is a cult classic that has been described by Roger Ebert as "bad taste elevated to the level of demented sleaze".
