Luminal

Demon and Davi are two eighteen-year-old prostitutes. Introduced to the sex trade by the cruel and cynical Ryu, they live mostly at night in a Paris dominated by perverse clients to please and by luminal, a synthetic drug that shapes their lives. When their friend is brutally murdered and they discover that Ryu is indirectly responsible for her death, the two girls decide to flee to London and try to change their lives before it's too late. Ryu, however, isn't willing to let them go so easily and sets out to avenge the shame she suffered.

Directed by Andrea Vecchiato, Luminal leans on a strong ensemble — Jemeela Mustchin, Maria Papas, Denis Lavant — to carry a story that balances spectacle with character.

The film landed with audiences for its craft and performances, and remains one of the most talked-about drama titles of 2004.