8 ½ Women 1999

When sexual desire becomes an obsession, it's every man for himself.

5.7 / 10   54 vote(s)
R
Drama Comedy

After the death of his wife, wealthy businessman Philip Emmenthal and his son Storey open their own private harem in their family residence in Geneva (they get the idea while watching Federico Fellini's 8½ and after Storey is "given" a woman, Simato (Inoh), to waive her pachinko debts). They sign one-year contracts with eight (and a half) women to this effect. The women each have a gimmick (one is a nun, another a kabuki performer, etc.). Philip soon becomes dominated by his favourite of the concubines, Palmira, who has no interest in Storey as a lover, despite what their contract might stipulate. Philip dies, the concubines' contracts expire, and Storey is left alone with Giulietta (the titular "½", played by Fujiwara) and of course the money and the houses.

Release Date 1999-05-22
Runtime 1h 58m
Directors Peter Greenaway, Reinier van Brummelen, Sacha Vierny
Producers Terry Glinwood, Bob Hubar, Kees Kasander, Denis Wigman
Writer Peter Greenaway