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Drama Cult Classic

Borowczyk’s scandalous adaptation traces Lulu’s fate from muse to murder victim in decadent Europe.

LULU

1980 · 1h 23m · NR · Drama · IMDB TMDB

Lulu models for a young painter who tries to seduce her. When her husband enters the room he dies from a heart attack. Lulu marries the painter, who commits suicide when he finds out that she has been having a long standing affair with Dr Schon and whose son gives her a job. Lulu kills Dr Schon and goes to London to live with his son. Eventually, she becomes a prostitute and dies a victim of Jack the Ripper.

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Quick Answer

What is Lulu about?

Lulu is a 1980 French-Italian-German drama directed by Walerian Borowczyk about a young woman whose journey from artist’s model to prostitute leads her through a series of tragic relationships and ultimately to her demise.

Programmer's Pick

Borowczyk brings his signature erotic intensity to Lulu, serving up a scandal-steeped period drama where art, sex, and violence entwine. Anne Bennent’s titular turn is fearless, and the parade of tragic suitors is as decadent as the film’s opulent European settings.

— SassyFlix Programmer

Overview

Lulu follows the tumultuous life of a young woman in late 19th-century Europe, beginning as an artist’s model for a young painter. The film delves into her relationships, starting with the painter’s attempt to seduce her, an event interrupted by her husband’s fatal heart attack. Lulu’s subsequent marriage to the painter only leads to more turmoil, as secrets and longstanding affairs surface, driving the men around her to desperate acts. Set against a backdrop of sexual liberation and social scandal, Walerian Borowczyk’s adaptation promises a drama rife with provocative encounters, shifting loyalties, and the consequences of forbidden passion. The film’s European roots and period setting infuse the story with both elegance and decadence.

Details & Specs

Director
Walerian Borowczyk
Writers
Walerian Borowczyk, Frank Wedekind, Anton Giulio Majano, Géza von Radványi
Release
1980
Runtime
1h 23m
Country
France, Italy, Germany
Language
French
Genres
Drama

Cast & Crew

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Director: Walerian Borowczyk Writers: Walerian Borowczyk +3 more
Anne Bennent Anne Bennent Lulu Michele Placido Michele Placido Schwarz Jean-Jacques Delbo Jean-Jacques Delbo Doctor Goll Hans-Jürgen Schatz Hans-Jürgen Schatz Alwa Schoen Bruno Hübner Bruno Hübner Schigolch BK Beate Kopp Baroness Geschwitz Carlo Enrici Carlo Enrici Monsieur Hunidei Pierre Saintons Pierre Saintons Kungu Poti Udo Kier Udo Kier Schultz Heinz Bennent Heinz Bennent Dr. Schoen CA Carla Angeloni

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Why Cult

European Sexploitation

Lulu showcases Borowczyk’s penchant for explicit sexuality, blending art-house sensibilities with unabashed nudity.

Period Decadence

Set in the 1880s, the film immerses viewers in lavish, morally ambiguous European society.

Notorious Literary Adaptation

Adapted from Frank Wedekind’s controversial plays, the story traces Lulu’s rise and fall through scandal and tragedy.

Explicit Female Nudity

The film features extensive female nudity and frank sexual content, pushing boundaries of erotic drama.

Scene Gallery

Questions from the Vault

When was Lulu released? +

Lulu was released in 1980.

Who directed Lulu? +

Lulu was directed by Walerian Borowczyk.

How long is Lulu? +

Lulu has a runtime of 83 minutes.

What genre is Lulu? +

Lulu is a drama.

Where can I watch Lulu? +

Lulu is available to watch on SassyFlix.

Trailers & Clips

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