Once the subject of minor controversy, this French relationship movie is a cool, objective look at the world of a dominatrix.
Aimless semi-thug Gerard Depardieu is talked into burgling an 'empty' flat, then discovers it is the literal dungeon of 'maitresse' Ariane (Bulle Ogier), who recruits him to piss in a client's face and then takes him on as regular boyfriend/irregular assistant torturer.
Barbet Schroeder, in his art film days, flirts with the chilliest kind of comedy.