Upon its release, received a mixed response from critics and audiences alike. Some praised the film for its bold exploration of themes considered taboo at the time, while others critiqued it for its explicit content and what they perceived as a lack of depth in character development. Despite this, the film managed to leave a mark on the cinematic landscape of the 1980s, contributing to discussions around freedom of expression and the representation of desire on screen.
The "desires" of the title are not just heterosexual. Hamilton was famous (or infamous) for his lingering shots of female intimacy—sleeping together, brushing hair, soft caresses—that blur the line between sibling affection and nascent lesbian curiosity. The DVDRip captures these subtle skin tones that are often blown out in lesser formats. Premiers desirs AKA First Desires -1983- DVDRip