Le genou de Claire (Claire's Knee)

The fifth instalment of the Six contes moraux revolves around a seemingly trivial, compulsive desire: the diplomat Jérôme (Jean-Claude Brialy) is determined, at any cost, to touch the young Claire’s knee. Whilst his fiancée is away, he flirts with various women during a summer spent at Lake Annecy. His fascination with Claire’s knee develops into a moral and emotional dilemma. Rohmer transforms this seemingly trivial premise into a subtle study of seduction, sensual obsession and self-deception, wrapped in a delightful ethical suspense. The writer Aurora acts as a sounding board for Jérôme’s endless self-analysis, whilst Nestor Almendros’s transparent colour photography brings the languid summer atmosphere to life. The result is one of Rohmer’s most sensual and crystal-clear films, in which he also brilliantly brings together people and landscape.