Laura (1979 film)

Laura: Shadows of a Summer
Theatrical release poster
FrenchLaura, les ombres de l'été
Directed byDavid Hamilton
Written by
  • Joseph Morhaim
  • André Szots
Story byDavid Hamilton
Produced by
  • Serge Laski
  • Malcolm James Thomson
Starring
CinematographyBernard Daillencourt
Edited byJoële Van Effenterre
Music byPatrick Juvet
Production
companies
  • C.O.R.A.
  • Les Films de l'Alma
Distributed bySNC
Release date
  • 28 November 1979 (1979-11-28) (France)
Running time
95 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench

Laura: Shadows of a Summer (French: Laura, les ombres de l'été) is a 1979 French erotic romantic drama film directed by photographer David Hamilton. It stars Dawn Dunlap as the title character. Hamilton made a cameo appearance in the film.

Plot

Paul Wyler is a successful sculptor best known for sculpting nude young girls. When he encounters an old flame, Sarah, he is so smitten by her beautiful daughter Laura that he asks Sarah if she will pose for him. Sarah, married but still jealous of the fact that her former lover is more attracted to her daughter, tells Paul that Laura is not interested, even though she is actually quite enthusiastic about doing it. As an alternative to live posing, Sarah takes photos of Laura posing nude and gives them to Paul so that he can sculpt Laura. After a fire at an art exhibit, Paul goes blind and cannot complete the sculpture. In the end, Laura, when going to say goodbye to Paul, allows him to finish his work by feeling her body and sculpting by feeling. This leads to a sexual encounter between the two, and the next morning Laura's mother comes to take her away.

Cast

Production

The film is shot in the same soft focus style that is common of David Hamilton's photography and his other films.

Companion book

In 1979, Hamilton released a portfolio tie-in with the film, titled Shadows of a Summer.

References