The Lovers (Aşıklar)

The Lovers (original title Les Amants) is a 1958 French romantic drama directed by Louis Malle, his second feature film after Elevator to the Gallows, made when he was only 25. With dialogue by Louise de Vilmorin, the film is based on Dominique Vivant Denon's story Point de Lendemain, though its 18th-century setting was transposed to the 1950s.

Starring Jeanne Moreau alongside Jean-Marc Bory, Alain Cuny and Judith Magre, it follows a disillusioned married woman from the bourgeoisie who rediscovers genuine love through an adulterous affair. Shot in black and white by New Wave cinematographer Henri Decaë, the film was considered daring for its era and provoked obscenity controversies and bans in several countries. A box-office success in France, it premiered at the 1958 Venice Film Festival, where it was nominated for the Golden Lion and won the Grand Jury Prize.