Student Services (2010): A Stark Look at Student Prostitution in France
"Student Services," originally titled "Mes chères études" ("My Dear Studies"), is a 2010 French television film directed by Emmanuelle Bercot that delves into the grim reality of student sex work in France. Adapted from the fact-based novel by 'Laura D', the film offers an unflinching portrayal of a young woman's descent into prostitution to finance her education. While the English title captures the essence of the film's subject matter, it's the raw and intimate depiction of Laura's experiences that truly resonates.
Synopsis
The film follows Laura (Déborah François), a 19-year-old college freshman studying Spanish with aspirations of becoming a translator. Coming from a working-class family with a mother who works as a nurse and a father as a mason, Laura finds herself struggling to make ends meet. She works in a call center, but even with this job, she can barely cover her monthly expenses. One day, she faints during a lecture due to lack of food. A student counselor advises her to sue her parents, knowing they cannot afford to give her more money.
Desperate, Laura searches online for additional work and comes across an advertisement from a man named Joe (Alain Cauchi) who is willing to pay her for companionship. Initially hesitant and ashamed, Laura is swayed by Joe's offer, who euphemistically frames the arrangement as fantasy fulfillment, claiming that everything, including fantasy, is for sale.
Laura's Descent
Laura's first encounter with Joe involves no sexual activity, only tenderness. She earns enough to pay her bills and even throw a small party for her friends. However, she continues meeting men for money, and Joe becomes a regular client. While she grows accustomed to the money, she struggles with what she has to do to earn it. Clients cross boundaries and cheat her out of her earnings, and eventually, even Joe betrays her trust.
The film depicts Laura's evolving motivations, starting with the need to pay rent and later extending to buying clothes and bags. She begins to believe she is streetwise, but several incidents shatter this illusion. "Student Services" doesn't shy away from showing the harsh realities of Laura's new life, where sex and nudity become currency in her interactions with both clients and her boyfriend (Mathieu Demy).
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Themes and Tropes
"Student Services" explores several difficult themes:
- Starving Student: Laura's initial foray into sex work is driven by her inability to afford basic necessities like food.
- Unproblematic Prostitution (Averted): The film does not glamorize or romanticize sex work. Laura experiences rape, is cheated out of money, and is forced into situations beyond her comfort zone.
- Madonna-Whore Complex: Laura attempts to compartmentalize her life, separating her identity as a student from her work as a prostitute.
The movie also exhibits the following tropes:
- Auto Erotica: One of Laura's clients can't afford a hotel room.
- Bondage Is Bad: Joe, a recurring client, engages in increasingly violent acts, including tying Laura up and assaulting her with a sex toy. In one instance, it is heavily implied that she's strapped to a St. Andrew's cross and shared with two of Joe's friends.
- Fan Disservice: The film features nudity and sex scenes, but they are presented without music, emphasizing the unsexy and often degrading nature of Laura's experiences.
- Platonic Prostitution: This trope is specifically averted in the film.
Realism and Controversy
"Student Services" is based on an anonymous autobiography that sparked controversy in France. The film aims to provide a realistic portrayal of the struggles faced by many students in Europe, who turn to prostitution to finance their studies. It highlights the economic pressures and lack of support that can lead young people down this path.
While the film attempts to address the issue of poverty among university students, some critics argue that it doesn't fully capture the complexities of the situation. They point out that tuition fees in French public universities are relatively low, and students have access to affordable housing and meals. However, the film underscores that even with these resources, some students still struggle to make ends meet.
Déborah François's Performance
Déborah François delivers a powerful and nuanced performance as Laura. She portrays the character's vulnerability, desperation, and internal struggles with honesty and conviction. François's portrayal makes Laura relatable, even as she makes questionable decisions. Despite the script's shortcomings, François's performance elevates the film and makes it a compelling watch.
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However, some critics argue that the script doesn't fully develop Laura's character, making her motivations and decisions confusing at times. They also criticize the film's direction and stylistic choices, calling them bland and uninspired.
Director's Approach
Director Emmanuelle Bercot takes an unflinching approach to the subject matter, avoiding sentimentality or sugarcoating. The film features numerous sex scenes, some of which are quite graphic, and François spends a significant amount of time on screen naked. This approach may be interpreted as exploitative by some viewers, while others may see it as a realistic depiction of the harsh realities of sex work.
Bercot also highlights the predatory nature of the men who exploit vulnerable young women like Laura. The film suggests that men are often pigs who use women, especially those who sell themselves.
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