This special limited edition J-card MediaBook slipcase (designed by Jillian Adel) is limited to 3,000 units and is only available on our website and at select indie retailers. Absolutely no major retailers will be stocking them.
Taking its name from the Lumière Brothers invention of the same name, Cinématographe is a new sub-label from Vinegar Syndrome that seeks to fill gaps in the canon of American cinema. Offering a mix of auteur driven studio films produced during the New Hollywood era of the late 1960s and 70s all the way through the indie boom of the 1980s and 90s, Cinématographe will explore the wide breadth of American moviemaking, spanning numerous genres and scales of production. Curated and produced by Vinegar Syndrome's Justin LaLiberty, each limited edition release will be housed in a specially designed, cloth-bound, media book with embossed foil titles and custom molded disc trays accompanied by a slipcase featuring newly commissioned art and an individually numbered J-card.
Eve Stephens (Tilda Swinton, We Need to Talk About Kevin), an ambitious and successful trial lawyer in Los Angeles, is up for appointment as a judge while juggling her proclivity for meaningless sex and her relationship with her kleptomaniac sister Madelyn (Amy Madigan, Field of Dreams). As she navigates intimate relationships with both male and female partners, including geologist John (Clancy Brown, Blue Steel) and psychiatrist Renee (Karen Sillas, Simple Men), Eve finds fantasy and reality converging, leading to a tense climax that will decide her personal and professional fate.
A contender for the Grand Jury Prize at the 1996 Sundance Film Festival, FEMALE PERVERSIONS marks the feature film debut of director and co-writer Susan Streitfeld as well as the American film debut of Tilda Swinton. Based on the 1991 psychology text Female Perversions: The Temptations of Emma Bovary by Louise J. Kaplan, Streitfeld’s film is an inspired amalgamation of erotic drama and psychological thriller set within the cutthroat environs of the Los Angeles justice system. Long unavailable on home video, Cinématographe is proud to present the world blu-ray release of Susan Streitfeld’s daring foray into the perverse in a brand new restoration from its original 35mm camera negative.
directed by: Susan Streitfeld starring: Tilda Swinton, Amy Madigan, Karen Sillas, Frances Fisher, Clancy Brown, Laila Robbins, Dale Shuger 1996 / 115 min / 1.85:1 / English DTS-HD MA 2.0
Additional info:
Region A Blu-ray
New audio commentary by film critic and historian Alexandra Heller-Nicholas
Coming Back Around - a new video interview with director and co-writer Susan Streitfeld
A Real Story - a new video interview with co-writer Julie Hébert
Ahead of its Time - a new video interview with cinematographer Teresa Medina
Jumping Through Hoops - a new video interview with actress Karen Sillas
The Soul of Film - a new video interview with actress Frances Fisher
No Egos - a new video conference with actress Dale Shuger
New text essays by film critic Kate Hagen, essayist Philippa Snow and culture writer Madelyn Sutton
English SDH subtitles
Overall rating: 4.6412215 / 5 from 131 reviews.
AI Generated Review Summary
This limited edition release from Cinématographe features a beautifully designed media book and slipcase. The film, praised for its stellar restoration and engaging drama, stars Tilda Swinton in a compelling performance. Additional features include insightful interviews and text essays, making it a must-have for fans of classic cinema.
"Beautifully restored 90's film with great performances from all the cast." — Scott C.
"Packaging is beautiful, disc looks great" — Howard D.
"Cinemetogrophe put this together into a really nice package with some great essays and beautiful packaging." — Dylan M.
Reviews
A Bold and Introspective Psychological Drama
"Female Perversions is a thought-provoking flick that explores identity, ambition, and desire through a psychological lens. Rather than following a conventional narrative, it focuses on the emotional and internal conflicts of its characters, creating a film that feels both intimate and challenging. The dreamlike hallucinations and symbolic imagery add another layer to the story, blurring the line between reality and inner experience. They reinforce the film’s themes without overwhelming the performances, making the psychological journey more compelling. The overall tone is confident and restrained, shifting between drama and introspection while maintaining a sense of unease throughout. It’s not a film that offers easy answers, but that ambiguity is part of what makes it memorable. Overall, this is a smart, character-driven drama that rewards viewers looking for something emotionally and psychologically complex."
— Tim L. (5/5)
TILDA
"In pretty much every movie Tilda Swinton is in—whether it's good or bad—she always makes the most of it and truly makes a difference, and this one is no exception. The rest of the cast is also on top of their game, and I found the film's themes really interesting. Highly recommended!"
— Daniel B. (5/5)
One of my all time favorites from this line!
"Never heard of this film before cinematographe put it out and this was one of the best blind buys ever. The cast is terrific and the story is phenomenal."
— Thomas E. (5/5)
Excellent Release
"Absolutely ADORE this film - so glad Cineamatographe put this out!"
— Frank M. (5/5)
Great obscurity
"Tilda Swinton in one of her early roles. This one delves deep into the nooks and crannies of the obsessive mind. Another obscurity from a time when I was working in the theater business. I’m still amazed at all the movies I have no recollection of. The cast is pretty good, and quality of the picture transfer is top notch as always with these Cinematographe releases."
— Douglas A. (4/5)
A wonderful cast and great
"A wonderful cast and great movie."
— Edward l. (4/5)
Nasty Ladies; Classy Exploitation!
"For my full detailed review of Female Perversions, see my entry on Letterboxd: @M4N14K I viewed this film on the Female Perversions Cinématographe Blu-ray Limited Edition physical media release and it is the same great premium level of packaging and presentation that you’ve come to expect from the generic releases of this boutique label. No other brand beats Vinegar Syndrome at the cardboard game and this great slipcover is no exception to the consistently fantastic artwork and component quality this company produces."
— Michael B. (5/5)
Here for Tilda
"I was going to start watching this on the Criterion Channel, then remembered seeing there was a Cinematographe disc available. Waited, watched it, loved it. Great packaging and transfer as always."
— James B. (5/5)
Very good
"Enjoy it a lot"
— Adrian D. (4/5)
Great exploration of female repression
"This cinematographe presentation was a pleasant discovery of a drama film that explores the repression of female individuality. Excellent cast, story, visuals. Extra props to Tilda Swinton for her performance. Usual fancy case and handful of extras."
— Kresh R. (4/5)
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