7. Casualising Prostitution - Jeune & Jolie (Young & Beautiful)
Francois Ozon's latest film is sold as 'a contemporary portrait of a teenage girl.' In fact this is the story of a 17 year old who, while her peers would be trying drugs and drink, chooses to turn to prostitution as an adolescent experiment. The film makes clear this is a desicion made of free will. She does not do this out of desperation, she has a good family and wants for nothing. While this is an uncomfortable premise that has caused murmurs of discontent, the outrage caused in France came when Ozon gave an interview to The Hollywood Reporter in which he stated, "I think women can really be connected with this girl because it's a fantasy of many women to do prostitution." These comments set women's groups up in arms and brought criticism from Najat Vallaud-Belkacem, France's Minister for Women's Rights who said "It's terrifying to trivialise, to give the impression that there is a casualness in prostitution. This is not true. Casualness and prostitution are contradictory."
