A feminist remake of the controversial erotic film Emmanuelle has debuted in French cinemas, 50 years after the release of the original. Directed by Audrey Diwan and starring actress Noémie Merlant, the film serves as a modern reinterpretation of the 1974 classic, set in the context of the #MeToo movement and contemporary feminism.

The plot follows Emmanuelle on a business trip to Hong Kong, seeking hidden pleasures and new experiences. Unlike the original novel and the 1970s film, the character is not dependent on a man and experiences her sexuality independently. The cast also includes such notable actors as Will Sharpe, Jamie Campbell Bower, Anthony Wong and Naomi Watts.

Director Audrey Diwan sought to distance herself from the classic expectations of a simple remake by exploring female sexuality through a modern lens. Noémie Merlant, who replaced Léa Seydoux in the lead role, accepted the part without hesitation, saying she felt strongly connected to the character and her mission to explore female pleasure.

“Thanks to the #Metoo movement, we are lucky to have more space as women to express ourselves and reconnect with our bodies and our desires. I was interested in exploring taboo subjects such as women’s sexuality and nudity,” Merlant said in an interview with France 2.

Reactions to the film, which premiered at the San Sebastián International Film Festival, were mixed. Le Figaro called the performance “ridiculous,” while FranceInfo praised the direction as “well thought out.” Currently, the film has received a rating of 4.5 out of 10 on IMDb and mostly negative reviews on Rotten Tomatoes.

The film, distributed by Pathé Films, was released in French theaters on Sept. 25.