“Take Me, Love Me,” aka “Nana,” is a 1970 drama romance film directed by Mac Ahlberg. Nana is an adaptation of Emile Zola’s classic novel, Set in late 19th-century Paris. The film follows the tumultuous life of Nana, a beautiful and ambitious courtesan portrayed by Swedish actress Anna Gaël.
Nana rises from poverty to become the most sought-after and scandalous woman in Parisian society, captivating men with allure and cunning. As she climbs the social ladder, Nana’s insatiable appetite for wealth and pleasure drives her to manipulate and seduce those around her, including the wealthy banker Count Muffat, played by Gillian Hills, and the talented young actor Georges Hugon, portrayed by Bruno Wolkowitch.
Amidst the glittering backdrop of lavish balls and opulent salons, Nana navigates through a world of intrigue, betrayal, and forbidden desires. Her rise to power is paralleled by her descent into decadence and self-destruction as she becomes entangled in a web of passion and betrayal.
As Nana’s star begins to fade, she finds herself caught in a downward spiral of addiction and despair, clinging to the fleeting moments of pleasure that once defined her existence. Despite her flaws and the tragedies that befall her, Nana remains a captivating and enigmatic figure, symbolizing both the allure and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
“Nana” offers a mesmerizing portrait of a woman who defies convention and embraces life on her own terms, thus inviting viewers into a world of passion, scandal, and redemption.
The Other Cinema 