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 Peel
 Illustrious Energy
 Kitchen Sink
 Plain Tastes
 Magik & Rose
 Love Mussel

Synopsis

Beneath her twinset, repressed housewife Gwyneth (Mandy McMullin) is close to the edge: of attacking the dishwasher, and giving in to lust (thanks to neighbour Kevin Smith). Especially so after learning the husband has done the dirty on her. Based on a Fiona Farrell story, Mon Desir offers an arresting blend of fantasy, satire and domestic tragedy. Writer/director Nicky Marshall scratches under the fingernails of Kiwi small towns, to reveal “what happens behind the facade of wholesome goodness and normality”. Mon Desir was chosen for Cannes 'Un Certain Regard' section.

Credits (12)

 Kevin Smith

Kevin Smith
Actor

 Nicky Marshall

Nicky Marshall
Director, Producer, Writer

 Mandy McMullin

Mandy McMullin
Actor

See all credits ›

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Produced by

Nicky Marshall

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Related Titles (7)

 Peel

Peel

Short Film, 1982 (Full Length)

Mon Desir was compared to this Cannes-winning short

 Love Mussel

Love Mussel

Television, 2001 (Excerpts)

Also featuring Kevin Smith

 Kitchen Sink

Kitchen Sink

Short Film, 1989 (Full Length)

Also stars Peter Tait

 Magik & Rose

Magik & Rose

Film, 1999 (Trailer)

Also featuring Alison Bruce

 Plain Tastes

Plain Tastes

Television, 1995 (Full Length)

Another tale of women seeking happiness

 Illustrious Energy

Illustrious Energy

Film, 1987 (Excerpts)

Also filmed by cameraman Alan Locke

 Johnstone's Journey - Settling for Suburbia

Johnstone's Journey - Settling for Suburbia

Television, 1978 (Full Length Episode)

A more sober exploration of suburban repression

Collections.   See all collections ›  

Included in:

 Kiwi Shorts at Cannes

Kiwi Shorts at Cannes

Curated by NZ On Screen Team
Added 13 May 2011

Quotes

I've had a bellyful Barry. 

– Gwyneth (Mandy McMullin)

Both Mon Desir and (Nicky Marshall's) Mirage display a similar daring original vision to that present in Jane Campion's roadside short film Peel, and A Girl's Own Story. 

– Deborah Shepard, in her book reframing Women

Awards

1992 Cannes Film Festival
Un Certain Regard

Festivals include
New York, New Zealand, Toronto, Montreal, London, Hof (Germany)