Elles is a French film directed by Małgorzata Szumowska and released in 2011. The main character is Anne, played by Juliette Binoche, a journalist who is struggling to balance her responsibilities as a wife and mother while working on a piece about female university students who engage in prostitution to pay for their tuition. The story takes place in Paris, and Anne spends much of her time interviewing two such women, both of whom are portrayed as intelligent and articulate.
As Anne delves deeper into the subject, she begins to question her own assumptions about sex and relationships. She also becomes increasingly disillusioned with her bourgeois lifestyle and her marriage to a successful but emotionally absent businessman. Meanwhile, she must juggle her work with her domestic duties, including caring for her two sons and dealing with a rebellious teenage daughter.
Throughout the film, Anne's inner turmoil is juxtaposed with scenes of the prostitutes at work, which are shot in a frank and unflinching manner. The movie is also noteworthy for its depiction of female nudity and sexuality, which is both explicit and nuanced.
Overall, Elles is a thought-provoking exploration of issues such as sex work, gender roles, and the challenges facing contemporary women. It received mixed reviews upon its release, but has since gained a cult following among fans of European arthouse cinema.