Mystère Alexina

If ever serious viewers would like to remember one of René Féret's most personal films "Mystère Alexina",it would definitely be for the acting prowess of French comic strip artist Philippe Vuillemin.He is absolutely incredible as the lead character who is confused about his/her sexuality.Philippe Vuillemin is so good that he outsmarts easily acting abilities of other actors especially that of Valerie Stroh.For this film René Féret has taken us to medieval times.Those were the times when French society,like most of the other societies was prudish in nature.In a way,this film is a serious take on sexuality in ancient times which was fiercely guarded.One of the most important questions raised by this film concerns ignorance about sexuality.It must be ascertained whether human sexuality can be dissimulated.Science comes to rescue when religious authorities are challenged to stake a claim about lead character's sexuality.For a film which might appear as a sensual love story to many viewers it is quite an achievement to minimize its risks of achieving an easy to please end.This is precisely the virtue of this film directed by one of French cinema's most under rated authors.

"Mystere Alexina" is a highly underestimated movie.Although it is a true story,the facts it depicts were risqué and its plea for the right to be different has a contemporary feel.René Féret's directing was certainly influenced by that of Robert Bresson,but he occasionally shows a certain warmth which the master never allows himself.

Circa 1850: Alexina who spent her youth in a completely female world (a convent,then a training college)becomes a schoolteacher in a small village.She feels she's different.She does not have her periods.Worse,she falls in love with her colleague (a woman of course).Pretty soon,they become lovers ,as Alexina feels more and more the man in her/him.But one of their pupils (it recalls Wyler's "the children's hour";the difference is that here it is a true rumor) reveals their

relationship.Alexina loses her job and has a physical exam.It would seem that she is an hermaphrodite.There's the rub.The nineteenth century society is not prepared to accept such a "monster" .Victor ,"the wild child" (see Truffaut's movie) was not dangerous for the society-he had appeared earlier in the century- because he was sexless and not really clever.

Alexina wants to marry her/his lover.But the world in which she lives is still dominated by religion and puritanism.The biology lesson is revealing:when she tells her pupils about the frog reproduction ,Alexina does not mention that the male inseminates the eggs (and however it happens in the water).An impressive scene shows Alexina driven out of the confessional by the priest after she's told him the "truth".

Philippe Vuillemin gives a cesar-caliber performance.He is absolutely mind-boggling :even more credible as a woman!

Give this movie a chance!It deserves it!