8 ½ Women

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About the film

loss of loved one harem illegal prostitution father son relationship

8 ½ Women

Release Date: May 22, 1999

Year	:	1999
Slogan	:	«When sexual desire becomes an obsession, it's every man for himself.»
Genres	:	Drama, Comedy
Production Companies	:	Delux Productions, Kasander & Wigman Productions, Continent Film GmbH, Movie Masters, Woodline Productions
Director	:	Peter Greenaway
Producers	:	Kees Kasander, Terry Glinwood, Bob Hubar, Denis Wigman
Writers	:	Peter Greenaway
RunTime	:	118 mins.

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.