From Perversion to Purity

<p>Catherine Deneuve is indisputably one of the world's most celebrated actresses both in her native France and throughout the world. Her career has spanned five decades during which she has worked with the most significant of French auteurs as well as forging partnerships with international directors such as Buñuel and Polanski. <br><br>The Deneuve star persona has attained such iconic status that it now symbolises the very essence of French womanhood and civic identity. In this wide-ranging and authoritative collection of essays by a selection of international film academics and writers the Deneuve persona is scrutinised and illuminated. Beyond the glamorous iconographic status of Yves Saint Laurent's muse and the epitome of sexual inviolability Deneuve's status as actress is foregrounded.<br><br>The book will be essential reading for students and lecturers in star studies.</p>