Samanka (Ceylon My Love) is basically an entry-level version of the more graphic films that Joe D'Amato and Jess Franco would make. This was aired occasionally on late-night Quebecois T.V. here.
Gerard (who looks a lot like a young John Elway) is a fashion photographer. His two models Sybille (who looks like a young Kathleen Turner) and Christa work in Paris with him. He finds out he has won a contract to deliver content for his bosses in Sri Lanka (Ceylon) and he and his ladies fly over for their all-inclusive paid vacation.
One day, he spots the beautiful Samanka walking and he is immediately infatuated. He tries to ask her to join his troupe but keeps getting missed connections. Finally, he meets her at the hotel and asks her to join he and his ladies on their escapade in hopes that she will model for him. While she has no issues sleeping with him, she refuses to be photographed because she believes she is a "deity".
Of course, Gerard continues to stalk her and he finds out she lives in a compound with her father, who runs some sort of Oneida Community where he is involved in sinister dealings. It all leads to him fighting for the life of his ladies only to be met with a twist ending.
Like many of these Emmanuelle clones, Samanka is a beautiful travelogue for these foreign countries they are filmed in, such as Sri Lanka. The country looks stunning and exotic. The women, despite being somewhat thin, are all-natural and sexy. Pretty much every stereotype of the Emmanuelle film (both the Kristel and Gemser versions) are fully utilized.
I originally saw the film in its original French. My VHS version is an English dub with Russian subtitles. The dialog in English is quite funny. At one point, Sybille is asking:
Sybille: What's the name of this hole?
Samanka: Kandy, the ancient capital of Ceylon. This hole is every bit as lovely as yours, my dear.
HAHAHA! Awesome.
If you are a fan of the Golden Era of softcore (1974-1986), this is one you need to seek out. Yes, it's just another formulaic Emmanuelle clone but it's a good one. I wish Vera Floux made more films. She indeed was a stunner.
