Tag Archives: The Netherlands

Substack: Interview with Jeremy Richey about Sylvia Kristel

Posted on September 28, 2025 by sheila

Today is Sylvia Kristel’s birthday, the Dutch actress mostly known for the notoriously soft-core Emmanuelle (1974)- but she did a lot more and worked with some of the greatest directors and actors of her era (70s). In his book about … Continue reading →

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For International Women’s Day: Ladies I Love

Posted on March 8, 2025 by sheila

I post edited versions of this every year. I add names. I take names off if I feel like it. I enjoy compiling it. It’s not just about enjoyment. As women’s rights are up for grabs more than ever, like … Continue reading →

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Screen Slate 2024 Poll

Posted on December 13, 2024 by sheila

Happy to participate in Screen Slate’s annual poll: Best Movies of 2024: First Viewings & Discoveries and Individual Ballots My pics: Fun to scroll through – so many people polled, including directors like Pedro Almodovar and Whit Stilman!     … Continue reading →

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“I was a silent actress: a body. I belonged to dreams – to those who can’t be broken.” — Sylvia Kristel

Posted on September 28, 2024 by sheila

Today is the birthday of Dutch actress and – briefly – international superstar – Sylvia Kristel. The timing is fortuitous. Often pigeonholed due to the massive success of the soft-core classic Emmanuelle, Kristel was a gifted and intuitive actress, who … Continue reading →

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March 2024 Viewing Diary

Posted on April 17, 2024 by sheila

Conspiracy (2001; d. Frank Pierson) I went down a little Wannsee Conference rabbit hole so figured I’d re-watch this chilling nasty little movie. Lured (1947; d. Douglas Sirk) I had never seen this. I love discovering new Douglas Sirks! This … Continue reading →

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Mirrors #19

Posted on March 22, 2024 by sheila

Two striking mirror moments in Marleen Gorris’ provocative directorial debut, a major entry in the catalog of feminist cinema, a film still poking the bear, 1982’s A Question of Silence. (People freaking out about how Barbie is anti-man clearly have … Continue reading →

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April/May 2023 Viewing Diary

Posted on June 9, 2023 by sheila

River of Grass (1994; d. Kelly Reichardt) Reichardt’s first film. Wendy and Lucy (2008; d. Kelly Reichardt) The start of Reichardt’s collaboration with Michelle Williams. Showing Up (2023; d. Kelly Reichardt) Reichardt’s latest. I reviewed for Ebert. It’s fine. Her … Continue reading →

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Review: Close to Vermeer (2023)

Posted on May 26, 2023 by sheila

I liked hanging out with the people in this documentary, I liked soaking up their passion and expertise. I reviewed for Ebert.     Thank you so much for stopping by. If you like what I do, and if you … Continue reading →

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Sylvia Kristel: From Emmanuelle to Chabrol: a QA with author Jeremy Richey

Posted on June 14, 2022 by sheila

When I first started to “swerve” my blog away from diary-like entries to a focus on film and books, there were a couple of people whose example I followed, or who, at least, were fully doing what I was already … Continue reading →

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2013 Books Read

Posted on December 30, 2013 by sheila

It’s been a hell of a year. Devastating as well as redemptive. I started it out in Memphis, and end it here in New Jersey. And now my new niece Pearl has arrived! It’s been both a busy year as … Continue reading →

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