"The Ceremony/La cérémonie"

"La cérémonie (The Ceremony)": Documentary on Famed French Dominatrix

Director Lina Mannheimer brings her 2014 film exploring the life and erotic times of author Catherine Robbe-Grillet to New York's Scandinavia House for a screening and Q&A. Best known for her 1956 sadomasochistic novel "L'image", written under the pseudonym Jean de Berg, Robbe-Grillet is considered France's most famous dominatrix, having ruled over a world of intricately styled S&M ceremonies. The film, which is in French with English subtitles, includes interviews with Robbe-Grillet and those closest to her, and delves into issues of love, friendship, art, aging and more. A discussion with director Lina Mannheimer and production designer Elle Kunnos de Voss follows the screening.