A Summer Dress (1996)

Literally, there are tons of short film out there dealing with the always challenging issue on putting homosexuality on the screen. These 15 minutes here should be a must-see for everybody who plans to go into that genre. There are literally so many crap films out there and people still appreciate them, even if they have zero artistic value, only because they are about that subject.The first scene was already a winner (and that comes from a heterosexual male). The use of Bang Bang there and on other occasions in this film was a brilliant idea. First of all, there is some excellent irony to these two words in the context of this short film, but there is also some outstanding sensuality in Sheila's version. And last, but not least, it's simply an amazing song. Now we have a bisexual male who spends the holidays with his (boy)friend, but he quickly gets annoyed by him acting so gay all the time. So he ends up in a romantic adventure with a young woman. But there is no drama, no tragedy, just happiness for everybody. The boys reunite quickly, the girl gets together with another guy when she leaves the island. There is so harmony and love in here, this is really a wonderful piece of filmmaking. Ozon was in his late 20s when he made this and you could absolutely see the talent he put on show in the last decades. By the way, even if he was still that young that was far from his first effort as a director and writer. A bit of a pity that only the female actress in here from the leading trio pursued a career in acting. Yet, even if they took other paths, they left us a film which is great and small at the same time. Highly recommended.

Every other review here has been written by non-French. So I make the difference, which makes sense as well. This short film is not the expression of what is going on in France or in French sexuality. Only some very small Parisian bi-sexual circles will recognize themselves, and yet even they will not like the film. Why? Because it is bloody badly acted! You, other reviewers, who do not speak French, may be charmed, but to my ears, it all sounds massively false. I guarantee you: no-one talks like that, no-one acts like that. So what is the thing about this film, and how on earth did Ozon manage to raise the funds to make it? Surely, because in the French film world, no single person would like to be considered as being "frustrated", so they all have to pretend that the subject is worthwhile financing. Well, it wasn't...

i expected it to be good, after i'd seen some other ozon's superb moments, and read much about it... but this movie is brilliant - clever, very bright (emotionally and visionally), perfect in all moments. every movement is there for a reason, everything fits so closely and primordially true and honest. this is the movie about the beauty and innocence; about it's simplicity.

There's not a dull moment in Francois Ozon's "Robe d'Ete". It's surprising how much is packed into this short film. While reclining on a deserted beach after a nude swim, a young gay is approached by a girl seeking a light for her cigarette. She invites him to make love in a wooded area near the beach. On returning to the beach. they find that all his clothes have been stolen. She lends him a summer dress to cover his nakedness and requests he return it next day. He rides his bike back to the holiday cabin dressed as a girl. His gay companion is sexually excited. Early next morning the young man returns to the sea and bids farewell to the girl whose holiday has ended. She suggests he keep the dress as a memento of their summer romance. It's a light-hearted film that captures the spirit of summer holidays by the sea, but perhaps not for those who are embarrassed by nudity or homosexual themes.