Kung-Fu Master! (1988)

In the world of Kung-Fu Master! (1988), we journey into the complex life of Mary-Jane, a devoted yet solitary 40-year-old divorcee raising her two daughters, Lucy and Loulou. Encased in her loneliness, Mary-Jane finds herself questioning the boundaries of love and age, asking, "Are all women enticed by the innocence of youth, or is it a void felt only by those without sons?" During a party thrown by Lucy, Mary-Jane's attention is captured by Julien, a 14-year-old boy who is bold yet small in stature. Beneath his brassy exterior, she senses a delicate vulnerability. She deliberately seeks out opportunities to be around him, subtly offering herself as a source of comfort and companionship. Julien balances precariously on the edge of adolescence, caught between the childlike allure of his favorite video game, Kung Fu Master, where he embarks on heroic quests to save Sylvie, and the teenage bravado of his friends' exaggerated tales of romantic conquests. As Lucy uncovers the unusual relationship unfolding between her mother and Julien, she is filled with revulsion. Meanwhile, Mary-Jane, bolstered by her own mother's encouragement, continues to blur the lines. Is it genuine affection that she feels, or is it a desperate grasp at her fading youth? The narrative begs the question - can such a controversial relationship ever have a positive outcome? With its intriguing portrayal of unconventional love, Kung-Fu Master! (1988) leaves viewers contemplating the boundaries of societal norms and the complexities of human emotions.

Kung-Fu Master! is a drama movie featuring Jane Birkin.

Kung-Fu Master! is currently streaming on Criterion Channel.