They say everybody has a skeleton in their closet. The problem is that not everyone knows what that skeleton is.
At least that was the case for Jaqueline Laurent-Auger.
Laurent-Auger is, or I should say was, a drama teacher for Le Collčge Jean-de-Brébeuf, a private secondary school in Montreal.
In late July, the school told Laurent-Auger they would not be renewing her contract after students found an online biography of the actress with links to clips to what the school is referring to as exotic films.
When Laurent-Auger was in her 20s she appeared nude in a handful of French language films for the European market.
The two the movies the school especially takes exception to are Sinner: the Secret Diary of a Nymphomaniac (1973) and Dany the Ravageur (1972).
In a statement the school said, “We’re not talking about paintings or sculptures of naked bodies produced with artistry and aesthetics in mind. There are erotic scenes destined for an adult audience.”
Laurent-Auger disagrees, saying that even though the movies played a very small part in her long acting career, and relates the movies to B movie fair similar to teen slasher and comedy movies, seen today.
She said there was nothing pornographic about the movies and that when she made the movies it was a much more open time.
“(That) a young woman (in her twenties) is doing a movie (where) we see her naked... There’s nothing wrong with that,” Laurent-Auger said in an interview with CBC radio.
Nor is it nothing new. For decades, women and to a lesser extent men, have been taking off their clothes for the cinema. Sometimes actors do it because they feel it is necessary for the story. Other times producers, directors and other movie executives may ask an actor to go nude for the shock value or, surprise, because they think it will help at the box office.
Either way, it is not illegal nor something an actor should be ashamed about. Laurent-Auger, is in fact quite proud of her acting career. For a number of years, she was able to make a living doing what she loves, acting. It is not something every actor is able to say. She also loved to pass on her passion for her craft to her students and for the last 15 years, the school seemed to be happy with what she brought to the table.
Laurent-Auger said the school, not once, complained about her work as a teacher. Not even when they told her they would not be renewing her contract, instead saying the fact she appeared nude in some of her films would be a distraction to her students.
Of course since the story broke, the school has reconsidered and has asked her to come back.
Whether she accepts is another thing. Right now she says she has to consider her options. Either way, Laurent-Auger should be proud of her career, both as an actress and a teacher even though some may say she has a skeleton in her closet.
