The powerful and darkly sensual drama Augustine is based on the true story of the unusual relationship that developed between Dr. Jean-Martin Charcot, the pioneering 19th century French neurologist and mentor to Sigmund Freud, and his star teenage patient. In Belle Epoque Paris, 19-year-old kitchen maid Augustine suffers an inexplicable seizure that leaves her partially paralyzed and is shipped off to an all-female psychiatric hospital specializing in the then-fashionable ailment of ‘hysteria’. Augustine captures the attention of renowned neurologist Dr. Charcot (Vincent Lindon) after she has another attack that appears to give her intense physical pleasure. Intrigued, he begins using her as his principal subject, hypnotizing her in front of his fellow doctors. As Augustine displays her spectacular fits in lecture halls, the lines between doctor and patient become blurred, radically impacting the course of both of their lives. Chronicling one woman’s sexual awakening against the backdrop of Victorian psychology and social repression, director Alice Winocour’s auspicious feature film debut stars 27 year-old French recording artist Soko in a breakout performance, Vincent Lindon (Mademoiselle Chambon), and Chiara Mastroianni (Prêt-à-Porter, Nowhere).
“Absorbingly sensuous period drama from an exciting new French writing/directing talent.”
NEIL YOUNG
THE HOLLYWOOD REPORTER
“A coolly febrile study of madness, Victorian sexual politics and power. The complex relationship between 19th-century neurologist Jean-Martin Charcot and of the most famous 'hysterics' he treated is charted with intelligent nuance.”
LESLIE FELPERIN
VARIETY
“A slyly feminist fable.”
STEVE DOLLAR
THE WALL STREET JOURNAL
"Charged with erotic tension. Soko inhabits the role of Augustine with consummate poise."
DENNIS LIM
THE NEW YORK TIMES
Four Stars "A gothic prequel to A Dangerous Method. Soko evolves from exploited victim to self-possessed woman—a protofeminist in both body and mind."
ERIC HYNES
TIME OUT NEW YORK
“Gorgeously shot, lavishly costumed and well acted!”
ERNEST HARDY
“A dark romance of sex and power. Vivid and Feverish. Soko is as grave and luminous as a silent-film star.”
AO SCOTT
VILLAGE VOICE
THE NEW YORK TIMES
2013 César Nominee - Best First Feature
Official Selection: 2012 Cannes Film Festival - Critics Week - Special Screenings
Official Selection: 2012 Toronto International Film Festival - Discovery Section
Official Selection: 2013 Rendez Vous With French Cinema
Official Selection: COLCOA Film Festival 2013
Hysteria Gallery: Photography from The Salpetriere
Interview with Director Alice Winocour
Q&A with Soko
2 Music Videos by Soko
Kitchen & Magic Parts: Two Films by Alice Winocour
