8½ Women
From The Art and Popular Culture Encyclopedia
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8½ Women is a 1999 film directed by Peter Greenaway starring John Standing, Matthew Delamere, Vivian Wu, Annie Shizuka Inoh, Barbara Sarafian, Kirina Mano, Toni Collette, Amanda Plummer, Natacha Amal, Manna Fujiwara, and Polly Walker.
Plot
Wealthy businessman Philip Emmenthal and his son Storey open their own private harem 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 favorite of the concubines, Palmira (Walker), who views Storey as more of a little brother than 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.
Cast
- John Standing as Philip Emmenthal
- Matthew Delamere as Storey Emmenthal
- Vivian Wu as Kita
- Annie Shizuka Inoh as Simato (as Shizuka Inoh)
- Barbara Sarafian as Clothilde
- Kirina Mano as Mio
- Toni Collette as Griselda/Sister Concordia
- Amanda Plummer as Beryl
- Natacha Amal as Giaconda the Baby Factory
- Manna Fujiwara as Giulietta/Half Woman
- Polly Walker as Palmira
- Elizabeth Berrington as Celeste, Emmenthal maid
- Myriam Muller as Marianne, Emmenthal maid
- Don Warrington as Simon
- Claire Johnston as Amelia, Philip's wife
