''Q'' (released in the United States as ''Desire'') is a 2011 French

erotic Eroticism () is a quality that causes sexual feelings, as well as a philosophical contemplation concerning the aesthetics of sexual desire, sensuality, and romantic love. That quality may be found in any form of artwork, including painting, sculp ...

drama Drama is the specific Mode (literature), mode of fiction Mimesis, represented in performance: a Play (theatre), play, opera, mime, ballet, etc., performed in a theatre, or on Radio drama, radio or television.Elam (1980, 98). Considered as a g ...

film written and directed by

Laurent Bouhnik Laurent Bouhnik () (born 7 April 1961) is a French director, writer, and actor. Bouhnik began his career in the comic strip and illustration business. From 1988 to 1992, he worked technical image and editing jobs within his production company. ...

Plot

Cherbourg Cherbourg is a former Communes of France, commune and Subprefectures in France, subprefecture located at the northern end of the Cotentin peninsula in the northwestern French departments of France, department of Manche. It was merged into the com ...

, the lives of several people are turned upside down after they meet Cecile, a character who symbolizes

desire Desires are states of mind that are expressed by terms like "wanting", "wishing", "longing" or "craving". A great variety of features is commonly associated with desires. They are seen as propositional attitudes towards conceivable states of affa ...

. Cecile is a 20-year-old woman whose father recently died— she attempts to deal with her grief by having sexual relations with multiple lovers, including both friends and strangers. She also tries to help others reach fulfillment. In several instances her flirting leads to sex, but, in other instances, she tries to teach her partner patience and dispenses advice about how and how not to pleasure one's sexual partner. Cecile's occasional boyfriend is Chance, a petty criminal who loves her but cannot satisfy her. Matt is a friend of Chance who is constantly pushing his girlfriend Alice to have sex with him, but Alice is not ready. As the movie progresses, we follow these characters as they deal with their lives and relationships. Chance and his friends are trying to make a buck while running from other criminals who he has antagonized. Matt is working as an

auto mechanic An auto mechanic is a mechanic who services and repairs automobiles, sometimes specializing in one or more List of car brands, automobile brands or sometimes working with any brand. In fixing cars, their main role is to Diagnosis, diagnose and ...

and trying to sleep with Alice. Against this background, we see Cecile on a

ferry boat A ferry is a boat or ship that transports passengers, and occasionally vehicles and cargo, across a body of water. A small passenger ferry with multiple stops, like those in Venice, Italy, is sometimes referred to as a water taxi or water bus. ...

listening in on a couple having a conversation. Cecile flirts with the man and later gives him her number. Later, we learn that the wife has had a traumatic experience which makes it difficult for her to have sex. The couple discuss having sex with Cecile and get aroused, but the wife's troubles prevent anything from happening. That night at a bar, the friends meet and some end up pairing off. Chance and Cecile go back to his place for unfulfilling sex. Later, Cecile gets a phone call that leads to her meet the husband from the ferry in a

beach hut A beach hut (also known as a beach cabin, beach box or bathing box) is a small, usually wooden and often brightly coloured, box above the high tide mark on popular bathing beaches. They are generally used as a shelter from the sun or wind, c ...

for sex. On the next ferry ride, Cecile meets Alice. Later, Cecile meets the wife of the man she was with at the beach. They talk and the wife opens up. Later, Cecile persuades Alice to help the couple address their marital issues. Alice arranges for the couple to meet up wearing blindfolds so they can have sex and fix their relationship. A group of women arrange a party. Chance shows up at the party carrying Cecile's father's ashes, which she never dealt with. He tells her that he loves her and challenges her to take care of herself as she is trying to help others. They get in his car and leave. As they drive along the coast, Cecile spreads her father's ashes. Unable to find

inner peace Inner peace (also known as peace of mind) refers to a deliberate state of psychological or spiritual calm maintained despite the presence of stressors. It is associated with a state of psychological "homeostasis" and the opposite of being stress ...

through various sexual encounters with Chance, Matt, and even Alice, Cecile finally discovers another path to healing and tells Chance that she loves him "even though it won't be easy".

Cast

References

External links

* 2011 films 2011 drama films 2011 LGBTQ-related films 2010s erotic drama films Films about female bisexuality Films directed by Laurent Bouhnik Films set in Normandy Films shot in Normandy French erotic drama films French LGBTQ-related films Lesbian-related films 2010s French films {{2010s-France-film-stub