Yes, it is loosely based on the 1911 erotic novel of the same name by the famous French poet Guillaume Apollinaire.

The film was banned in several countries (including Canada until 1999) and heavily cut in the UK for theatrical release.

: Set in the summer of 1914, 16-year-old Roger (Fabrice Josso) returns from boarding school to his family's villa. Amidst the outbreak of World War I, most adult men leave for the front, leaving Roger as the only male on the estate. Brimming with sexual curiosity, Roger explores his sexual awakening with various women in the household, including maids, his governess, and relatives.

Roger becomes the only man left in the mansion, leading him to engage in sexual adventures with maids, his aunt, his sister, and others. He ends up impregnating several, eventually organizing marriages for them to avoid scandal.

Decades after its release, the film occupies a highly specific niche. On databases like IMDb, user scores frequently reflect a divide between those who view it as a nostalgic, beautifully shot period piece and those who critique its loose narrative structure and dated approach to adult themes. Apollinaire’s original literary work was meant to shock bourgeois sensibilities; Mingozzi’s cinematic adaptation, however, trades architectural shock value for a softer, comedic atmosphere.

These arthouse streamers sometimes feature Mingozzi’s work. Check their “Coming Soon” sections – but do not expect permanent availability.

), high-quality cinematography, period dramas, or lighthearted, sensual stories.

Starring as the main female lead, Grandi was a major Italian sex symbol of the era, bringing substantial star power to the production.