Hellé (film)

Hellé is a 1972 French erotic drama film directed by Roger Vadim, starring Maria Schneider, Didier Bienaimé, and Jean-Claude Bouillon.

The film is a loose adaptation of the classic French novel Manon Lescaut by Abbé Prévost, updated to a contemporary setting. Maria Schneider plays Hellé, a young and alluring woman who becomes involved with a wealthy architect, Olivier (Didier Bienaimé). Their relationship is complicated by her involvement with a gangster, Lucien (Jean-Claude Bouillon), and her ultimately destructive nature.

Hellé is notable for its explicit sexuality and exploration of themes such as love, obsession, and social class. While some view it as a bold and provocative work, others criticize it for its exploitative content. The film was controversial upon its release and remains a topic of discussion within film studies.