BBC Storyville - The Paris Brothel (2003)

An exploration of Paris' 'maison close', the unique state-authorised, high-class brothels that Napoleon set up and which existed until 1948. Mark Kidel's astonishing film recaptures a lost French tradition. Nowadays it would simply be called sex tourism; but in the 1920s and 30s people did speak about brothels with awe. These were enormous facilities, often with a restaurant conveniently situated downstairs. Many French women, including Edith Piaf serviced the clientele, which was rich and French, as well as rich and foreign. Of course there were cheaper brothels for working men. George Orwell's remark that 1930s France was “midway between a museum and a brothel” turns out to have been literally true. But this is a wonderful film because it tells you about the French attitude. What other culture would have the courage or indifference to establish the sex trade at its heart?

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