The famous Emmanuelle series returns in 2024 with a bold and visually striking reboot directed by Happening’s Golden Lion winner Audrey Diwan. Inspired by Emmanuelle Arsan’s 1967 book of the same name, this new erotic drama reimagines the main character’s sexual journey for a new audience. The movie, which stars Noémie Merlant as the lead and Naomi Watts, Will Sharpe, and others, is about desire, self-discovery, and emotional freedom set against a background of mystery and luxury. But Emmanuelle (2024) is more than just a story with characters. It is deeply rooted in its settings.
Let’s look more closely at the story and the places where the movie was shot that make it come to life.
THE STORY OF EMMANUELLE (2024)
The new version of the story has Noémie Merlant as Emmanuelle, who works as a quality controller for a well-known luxury hotel chain. She goes to Hong Kong on assignment to look at a hotel that Margot runs. It’s Emmanuelle’s job to find a reason to fire Margot, but she ends up getting involved in an emotional and sensual awakening that goes far beyond what she was supposed to do.
Inside the hotel, Emmanuelle finds her long-lost sense of pleasure again. When she meets Kei, a mysterious and interesting guest, it’s the start of an unexpected and life-changing relationship. Hong Kong adds layers of intensity, mystery, and modern beauty to her journey through this web of desire.
WHERE WAS EMMANUELLE (2024) FILMED?
The filming of Emmanuelle (2024) officially began on October 9, 2023. It was mostly shot in Paris, France, and Hong Kong, China. Audrey Diwan, the director, carefully picked each location to create a certain mood and visual richness that fits with Emmanuelle’s journey.
Paris, France
In October 2023, filming for Emmanuelle began in Paris, which is known for being one of the best places to tell romantic and sensual stories. This was confirmed by Diwan in an Instagram post that had a clapperboard picture from Rectangle Productions, Chantelouve, and Goodfellas. “Excitement is the word,” the picture said. Emmanuelle. “Day I,” which means the project has officially begun.
Paris was the perfect setting for the story’s exploration of love, class, and coming back to life. The streets, interiors and hidden corners of Paris were used to show how reflective Emmanuelle can be before the story moves to Asia and takes on a more exciting and exotic tone.
The production notes don’t list specific Parisian landmarks, but the essence of the city is likely to be present in scenes that deal with Emmanuelle’s past and her inner struggles.
HONG KONG, CHINA
As the story goes on, Emmanuelle goes to Hong Kong, which is where a lot of the movie was filmed. Audrey Diwan, the director, has talked about how much she loves Hong Kong movies, especially Chungking Express (1994) by Wong Kar-wai. One of the main places where the movie was shot, Chungking Mansions, is inspired by that idea.
CHUNGKING MANSIONS
Chungking Mansions is a busy and culturally diverse building complex in Tsim Sha Tsui that is home to a wide range of businesses, from guesthouses and curry restaurants to electronics stands. For its rough charm and complex atmosphere, it stands in stark but beautiful contrast to Emmanuelle’s world of high-end hotels.
This setting gives the story more emotional depth by putting the characters’ experiences in the real-life chaos and closeness of the city. Diwan chose this spot as a tribute to Chungking Express, combining the history of movies with her own visual stories.
THIS IS THE ST. REGIS HONG KONG
The five-star St. Regis Hong Kong hotel in the Wan Chai district was another important place where movies were shot in Hong Kong. The hotel, which was known for its modern luxury and stunning views of Victoria Harbor, stood in for the made-up high-end hotel that Emmanuelle was sent to review.
Its modern architecture, sleek interiors, and luxurious details make it the perfect setting for scenes that look at how appearances and deeper emotional truths can coexist. A lot of the sensual parts of the movie happen inside these walls where desire meets duty and formality gives way to freedom.
PRODUCTION NOTES AND INSIGHTS BEHIND THE SCENES
Under Infinite Fun Limited, who oversaw production in Hong Kong, the film’s international shoot was overseen by Ivan Lam—who is famous for his work on Skyfall (007). This partnership made it easy for the crews in Paris and Hong Kong to work together.
Emmanuelle starts out in Paris, where she is limited by routine and expectations. Hong Kong, on the other hand, gives her the chance to escape, discover, and start over. The difference between the two cities is a key part of how her feelings change over time.
The places where Emmanuelle (2024) was filmed are more than just pretty backgrounds; they are important to the story. From the romantic tension of Paris to the exciting, enticing energy of Hong Kong’s Chungking Mansions and the St. Regis Hotel, each place adds a different mood, setting, or symbol to Emmanuelle’s journey.
As a reporter watching this movie, it’s clear that Audrey Diwan used location not only to make the movie look beautiful, but also as a way to tell the story and support the themes of desire, sensuality, and change in the movie.
People who like the series, movies, and traveling can all get a unique look into Emmanuelle’s world through these filming locations. It’s a world where passion and place come together in the most compelling ways.
EMMANUELLE OFFICIAL TRAILER
Keep coming back to netfilming.com for more news, updates, and in-depth looks at locations.
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