MovieChat Forums > Une liaison pornographique (1999) Discussion > Worst translation of a title

Worst translation of a title

posted 17 years ago by ann-margrock
22 replies | jump to latest

On cable in the US it's called "An Affair of Love". Uh, sure, 'love' and 'pornographique' -- they're almost the same thing.

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[–] Ortiz-83 17 years ago

Definitely one of the worst. Saw the movie on starz and then came to imdb to check info and I was really surprised at the title.

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[–] shoresus2001 17 years ago

So was I!. It is unbelievable that whoever translated the title is so ignorant!. That shows you how much people may be deviated from the true meaning of a film, for this matter. Can you imagine if such atrocity was done with the title...what's left for the subtitles?. I speak some French, but not enough as to be able to listen without reading, so, I am watching the film carefully, just hoping it is not ruined by a bad translation.

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[–] elpopieto 16 years ago

The translation overall was good. I am french and I saw this movie with english subs.

The title is atrocious though. How can you distort something like that, and why? Maybe because it would not make the ratings in the US cause there is "porn" in the title? If that is the reason, then I feel for you, US friends, 'cause that would mean the end of free speech to my eyes...

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[–] albertfoster 17 years ago

that isn't the translation. Here I just copied this and pasted it.

>>A Pornographic Affair
An Affair of Love (USA)
Une affair d'amour (USA) (video title)
more<<
I hope you see that the Translation is from the Name "A Pornographic Affair".
where as "An Affair of Love" is an AKA.

I hope this clears this up for you.

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[–] Ortiz-83 16 years ago

I saw it on Starz...and the title shown was "An Affair of Love".

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] combatreview 15 years ago

Though of course the original title is less accurate than the translations. I sat there for an hour and a half... nothing!

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

I sat there for an hour and a half... nothing!

Now that took guts! I wouldn't make my personal problems public quite so nonchalantly if I were you...

Then again, maybe it's just a question of technique. Or possibly your hand wasn't having a good day. Who knows.

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[–] j30bell 15 years ago

>Or possibly your hand wasn't having a good day.

And only a few hours ago combat was boasting how big a wanker he was. Oh what a tangled web we weave…

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

And only a few hours ago combat was boasting how big a wanker he was.

True - but then he wasn't boasting about how SUCCESSFUL a wanker he was... maybe he just needs longer than an hour and a half? Which would actually be quite a record in terms of staying power! Come to think of it, I'm impressed!

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[–] j30bell 15 years ago

>Which would actually be quite a record in terms of staying power! Come to think of it, I'm impressed!

Why am I getting flashbacks to that Pedro Almodovar film Tie Me Up Tie! Me Down!

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[–] combatreview 15 years ago

Because you're a weirdo?

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

Why am I getting flashbacks to that Pedro Almodovar film Tie Me Up Tie! Me Down!

Now I'm disturbed. I won't even ask how the hell you might know something like that about combat...

...or were you possibly referring to ME?!? In which case I don't know whether to be flattered or insulted.

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[–] j30bell 15 years ago

Oh no, much less interesting. It's a reference to the character played by Antonio Banderas. The pornstar who was (in Almodovar's terribly unpc way) raping a woman, but due to his professional stamina was unable to acheieve climax and therefore the woman's primary emotion turned from fear to boredom.

That was Spanish cinema back in the 1980s for you. Matador was a better film.

Sorry for the confusion.

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

Actually your reference seemed more apt before your last remark I think... while Matador indeed is a more amusing film (and with a better structure), ¡Átame! (speaking of hideously translated titles...) deals with a FEMALE porn star (Victoria Abril) pursued by a somewhat deranged stalker (Antonio Banderas) who nevertheless eventually seduces her in bed when she finally remembers their previous one-night stand, made memorable by his combatreview-like endurance in the sack (there's my first reference). My second question referred to possibly being compared to the porn star -- not entirely flattering, though on the other hand, being compared to Victoria Abril would hardly constitute an insult in most sane women's view. There. All done explaining now.

BTW, are you fond of Almodóvar? Because if so, I'd recommend What Have I Done to Deserve This? as possibly the best example of his more far-out early films. At any rate it is very amusing in a decidedly grotesque fashion.

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[–] j30bell 15 years ago

Ah, well no, given my faulty recollection of the film, it was combat who I was referring to, not you - his seeming climactic problem. However, as you note, Victoria Abril is a fine looking woman.

I haven't yet seen What Have I Done to Deserve This. Perhaps I should make the effort, given your recommendation. Almodovar films were easier to watch as a single man. "It's art!" I shall be saying to my other half. "Pull the other one!" she'll no doubt retort. "If you insist darling" I shall probably reply. And then I'll be in trouble, you see.

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

it was combat who I was referring to, not you - his seeming climactic problem.

Ah, I see. Wait a minute -- that is STILL very disturbing!!!

However, as you note, Victoria Abril is a fine looking woman.

Indeed she is. Let us say I wouldn't kick her out of my bed.

I haven't yet seen What Have I Done to Deserve This. Perhaps I should make the effort, given your recommendation.

Well... I myself found it hilarious, but I have been told before that I have a warped sense of humour. Then again, you seem to like Almodóvar's films? Or am I misreading you? Do keep in mind a few key words in my recommendation: "far-out" and "grotesque" come to mind especially... I really wouldn't want you holding me responsible for a wasted evening, although in my defense I'll mention that:

Almodovar films were easier to watch as a single man.

...that might just be a mistaken impression of yours if you haven't tried them on your BETTER (sorry, couldn't resist) half. Who knows?

"It's art!" I shall be saying to my other half. "Pull the other one!" she'll no doubt retort. "If you insist darling" I shall probably reply. And then I'll be in trouble, you see.

And you'll have both Almodóvar and yours truly to thank for it!

As well as your better half, no doubt.

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[–] combatreview 15 years ago

Look, it's called 'liaison pornographique' and there's no shagging in it. Simple! I dare say J30Bell may indeed jack off to wistful restaurant conversations in French but I solemnly hope I'm never present when he does.

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[–] ffeff 15 years ago

Look, it's called 'liaison pornographique' and there's no shagging in it. Simple!

Dear me. I hate to point this out to you, combat, but you must have been so... er... otherwise 'engaged' while watching this that you actually failed to note not just one but two extended scenes of fairly explicit shagging. Some nudity included too.

I dare say J30Bell may indeed jack off to wistful restaurant conversations in French

Naturally I can't speak for bell, but something tells me that isn't altogether likely. Though:

but I solemnly hope I'm never present when he does.

...really? Now THAT I myself would pay through the nose to see!

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[–] randomdent-1 15 years ago

I suspect Combat never even got as far as the shagging scenes because it's actually he who jacks off to wistful restaurant conversations in French. He's never quite seen the need to watch the entire 2 hours.

Just a theory.

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] randomdent-1 15 years ago

He secretly digs the French.

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