Article · Wikipedia archive · Last revised Jun 27, 2026

Duelle

Duelle (Une quarantaine) is a 1976 French experimental fantasy drama film directed by Jacques Rivette. The main title is a neologistic feminine form for the noun "duel". The director-assigned English title is Twhylight, a combination of "twilight" and "why". The film stars Juliet Berto as the Queen of the Night who battles the Queen of the Sun (Bulle Ogier) over a magical diamond that will allow the winner to remain on earth, specifically modern-day Paris.

Last revised
Jun 27, 2026
Read time
≈ 1 min
Length
252 w
Citations
7
Source
Duelle
Theatrical release poster
Directed byJacques Rivette
Written by
Produced byStéphane Tchalgadjieff
Starring
CinematographyWilliam Lubtchansky
Edited byNicole Lubtchansky
Production
companies
Distributed byGaumont Distribution
Release dates
  • 23 May 1976 (1976-05-23) (Cannes)
  • 15 September 1976 (1976-09-15) (France)
Running time
121 minutes
CountryFrance
LanguageFrench

Duelle (Une quarantaine) is a 1976 French experimental fantasy drama film directed by Jacques Rivette. The main title is a neologistic feminine form for the noun "duel". The director-assigned1 English title is Twhylight, a combination of "twilight" and "why". The film stars Juliet Berto as the Queen of the Night who battles the Queen of the Sun (Bulle Ogier) over a magical diamond that will allow the winner to remain on earth, specifically modern-day Paris.

Cast

Production

The film was the second in a planned quartet but the first to be filmed. It was followed by Noroît. 2

The stylistic model for the film was based on Val Lewton's The Seventh Victim.2

The music, by pianist Jean Wiener, was improvised.2

Notes

Notes

  1. Screenplay and dialogue
  2. Screenplay
  3. Mise-en-scène
References

References

  1. Rosenbaum, Jonathan (31 May 2022). "Rivette's Rupture (DUELLE and NORÔIT)". JonathanRosenbaum.net. Retrieved 24 January 2024.
  2. Rosenbaum, Jonathan (1976). 20th London Film Festival programme.
External links