THE STRIKE

By Gabrielle Stemmer

Running time 55 minutes

Adapted from “La Chair est triste hélas” by Ovidie

With the voice of Julia Faure

Synopsis
« One morning I realized I hadn’t made love for three months. » Thus begins Ovidie’s sex strike, as told in her best-selling book « La Chair est triste hélas » (The Flesh is Sad, Alas). Gabrielle Stemmer takes hold of the intimate and political journey of a woman revisiting her past, caught in the web of patriarchy. Through a hypnotic blend of found footage, television archives and amateur films, Stemmer’s political essay exposes the cracks in the heterosexual model.

Produced by
Blue Monday Productions, Belleville Production

Co-produced by
INA, Ciclic

French Distribution
New Story

International Sales
Kino Rebelde

Supported by
CNC

San Sebastián Film Festival – Zabaltegi-Tabakalera

Grand Prix National Documentaire - Fipadoc 2026