The Oldest Profession (1967) — AI Story Visualization

Plot Analysis Summary

A satirical anthology exploring the evolution of human relationships, commerce, and deception across six distinct historical eras.

Story Structure — 6 Plot Phases

Prehistoric Makeover

Brit struggles to attract a visiting trader until her companion Rak devises a makeup strategy. The segment establishes a playful tone as ancient social dynamics are explored through primitive means.

Key Events

• Cavewoman's Dilemma — Brit struggles to attract a visiting trader with her natural appearance. Characters: Brit (segment "L'ère préhistorique"), The Trader (segment "L'ère préhistorique") Location: Prehistoric Cave
• Makeup Strategy — Rak suggests painting Brit's face to enhance her appeal. Characters: Brit (segment "L'ère préhistorique"), Rak (segment "L'ère préhistorique") Location: Prehistoric Cave
• Trader's Arrival — The trader arrives, but Brit's initial appearance fails to impress him. Characters: Brit (segment "L'ère préhistorique"), The Trader (segment "L'ère préhistorique") Location: Cave Entrance

Roman Deception

Emperor Flavius sneaks out to a brothel with poet Menippus, leaving his wife Domitilla behind. The tension builds as he encounters a mysterious woman who turns out to be his own spouse.

Key Events

• Trader's Arrival — The trader arrives, but Brit's initial appearance fails to impress him. Characters: Brit (segment "L'ère préhistorique"), The Trader (segment "L'ère préhistorique") Location: Cave Entrance
• Emperor's Departure — Emperor Flavius excuses himself from Empress Domitilla to visit a brothel. Characters: Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines"), Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines") Location: Roman Palace
• Poet's Escort — Flavius takes poet Menippus along as a cover for his brothel visit. Characters: Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines"), Menippus (segment "Nuits romaines") Location: Roman Streets
• Brothel Encounter — Flavius meets a mysterious beautiful woman at the brothel. Characters: Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines"), Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines") Location: Roman Brothel
• Identity Revealed — The mysterious woman is revealed to be his wife, the Empress. Characters: Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines"), Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines") Location: Roman Brothel

Revolutionary Promises

During the French Revolution, Philibert visits Mimi and watches a guillotine execution. He fabricates a story about his uncle's estate to delay payment, highlighting the era's chaos and personal opportunism.

Key Events

• Identity Revealed — The mysterious woman is revealed to be his wife, the Empress. Characters: Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines"), Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines") Location: Roman Brothel
• Mimi's Window — During the Revolution, Philibert visits Mimi and watches a guillotine execution. Location: Paris Apartment
• Uncle's Claim — Philibert claims the executed aristocrat was his childless uncle. Location: Paris Apartment
• Estate Promise — He promises to pay Mimi once lawyers settle the estate, then vanishes. Location: Paris Apartment

Nineteenth Century Bargains

In 1890s Paris, Nini sleeps with a lonely old man and discovers his wealth through his wallet. She refuses his money, claims romantic affection, and ultimately agrees to marry him.

Key Events

• Estate Promise — He promises to pay Mimi once lawyers settle the estate, then vanishes. Location: Paris Apartment
• Nini's Discovery — Nini sleeps with a lonely old man and finds he is a bank partner. Characters: Nini (segment "La belle époque") Location: Paris Bedroom
• Refusal of Money — She refuses his payment, claiming she is in love with him. Characters: Nini (segment "La belle époque") Location: Paris Bedroom
• Wedding Arrangement — Nini eventually agrees to let the old man marry her. Characters: Nini (segment "La belle époque") Location: Paris Church

Modern Misadventures

Catherine and Nadia navigate modern Paris after Catherine loses her license. They purchase an ambulance, face a tense police stop, and resolve the situation by revealing a medical client.

Key Events

• Wedding Arrangement — Nini eventually agrees to let the old man marry her. Characters: Nini (segment "La belle époque") Location: Paris Church
• License Loss — Catherine loses her license and works from a car driven by friend Nadia. Characters: Catherine (segment "Aujourd'hui"), Nadia (segment "Aujourd'hui") Location: Paris Street
• Ambulance Purchase — After their car is impounded, they buy an ambulance instead. Characters: Catherine (segment "Aujourd'hui"), Nadia (segment "Aujourd'hui") Location: Paris Garage
• Police Stop — Police stop their ambulance, creating tension and uncertainty. Characters: Catherine (segment "Aujourd'hui"), Nadia (segment "Aujourd'hui") Location: Paris Street

Future Encounters

In a futuristic setting, a space outpost visitor rejects a prostitute for lacking conversation. He is paired with Eléonore, persuading her to use her charm, reflecting on communication in advanced societies.

Key Events

• Police Stop — Police stop their ambulance, creating tension and uncertainty. Characters: Catherine (segment "Aujourd'hui"), Nadia (segment "Aujourd'hui") Location: Paris Street
• Doctor Reveal — They reveal a doctor is the client, and police depart peacefully. Characters: Catherine (segment "Aujourd'hui") Location: Paris Street
• Spaceport Arrival — A man from a space outpost arrives and is offered a prostitute. Location: Spaceport Hotel
• Conversation Rejection — He rejects Marlène because she cannot hold a conversation. Location: Spaceport Hotel
• Eléonore Introduction — Hosts provide Eléonore, who is charming but reluctant to proceed. Location: Spaceport Hotel
• Persuasion Attempt — He persuades her that her conversational skills have further uses. Location: Spaceport Hotel
• Future Departure — The visitor leaves with Eléonore, concluding the futuristic segment. Location: Spaceport Hotel

Story Breakdown

• Prehistoric Attraction — Explores primitive social dynamics and the origins of romantic pursuit through makeup and cave life.
  • Cave Dilemma — Brit struggles to attract the visiting trader with her natural appearance.
  • Makeup Innovation — Rak introduces face painting as a strategic tool for romantic success.
• Roman Deception — Examines marital trust and aristocratic hypocrisy through a secret brothel visit.
  • Emperor's Escape — Flavius uses a poet as cover to leave his wife and visit a brothel.
  • Identity Shock — The mysterious brothel woman is revealed to be the Empress herself.
• Revolutionary Promises — Highlights opportunism and financial evasion during the chaos of the French Revolution.
  • Guillotine Witness — Philibert observes an execution while visiting Mimi, setting a tense backdrop.
  • Estate Delay — He fabricates a family inheritance story to postpone paying Mimi.
• Nineteenth Century Bargains — Depicts transactional relationships evolving into marriage through financial discovery.
  • Wealth Discovery — Nini finds the old man's bank partnership documents in his wallet.
  • Marriage Pact — She refuses payment, claims love, and agrees to wed him.
• Modern Misadventures — Shows urban resilience and professional improvisation in contemporary Paris.
  • Vehicle Swap — Catherine and Nadia replace their impounded car with an ambulance.
  • Police Standoff — Tension peaks during a traffic stop until a medical client is revealed.
• Future Encounters — Critiques communication barriers and emotional detachment in advanced societies.
  • Conversation Gap — The visitor rejects Marlène for her inability to engage in dialogue.
  • Charm Persuasion — He convinces Eléonore to utilize her conversational skills for further interaction.

Directed by

Jean-Luc Godard, Philippe de Broca, Claude Autant-Lara

Key Cast

• Michèle Mercier — Brit (segment "L'ère préhistorique")
• Enrico Maria Salerno — Rak (segment "L'ère préhistorique")
• Gabriele Tinti — The Trader (segment "L'ère préhistorique")
• Elsa Martinelli — Domitilla (segment "Nuits romaines")
• Gastone Moschin — Flavius (segment "Nuits romaines")