The notion of love within a relationship is intriguingly explored in Yannick Mosimann’s film Normal Love, which follows a couple as they embark on a curious form of social experiment. At the beginning of their relationship they sign a 365-day contract that details the rights and duties that usually accompany the cohabitation of two people. Love may – or may not – come later, with the contract drawing up guidelines rather than emotional responses.
The arrangement – though dubbed a social experiment, it is also perhaps part performance art – is set in place by one part of a future couple Jeanne, who interviews nine possible candidates, before deciding on Mike. The plan is that they will live together, spend their free time together, have sex – just about everything partners usually do – but all fitting the proscribed guidelines.
Explaining (and obviously recording herself explaining) to her mother on the phone, Jeanne says: “I want to see if and what kind of emotions can be created from such a rational thing”. She then asks her mother if she will set up an Instagram account to follow what happens, admitting that it is meant to be voyeuristic.
The couple have an on-line Zoom signature ceremony and read out the contract (a “contract for a quality love relationship” which is made up of set of rules decided by the partners that they will vow to respect. After signing, friends and family are able to ask questions.
“The purpose of the contract is the union of the partners in a romantic relationship known as a ‘couple’s’ relationship,” they read out. Clause 4.3 says they must love and cherish each other until the end of this contract; clause 8.1 covers sexual intercourse, with subclause 8.1.1 detailing occurrence – “the couple commits to engage in sexual intercourse unless a valid, signed excuse is provided in writing, at least four times per month.” In addition, they must say “I love you” within the first six months.
Initially things are obviously very tentative – with Jeanne admitting she has kept a “rational artistic distance” and worries if she “can she be the creator and person performing,” while Mike struggles to understand her motivation, and challenges her emotional responses.
Communication is a problem between them, and while at the half-way mark they have moments of warmth and humour, it is clear all is not well. Mike admits sleeping with a former girlfriend (it seems Jeanne stays 12 nights a month with him), and while Jeanne is upset she also uses this moment to say ”I love you,” adding that it’s the perfect moment!” Then she adds: “Fuck you”.
At the end she tells him that she “really kind of used you for my purpose,” though he replies: ”I don’t see it that way…I wanted to see what there is to experience.” In tears she adds: “ I was always at a distance… a rational distance. I’m quite cynical about love.”
The end coda gives an update on the couple’s circumstances and how their experience together will be used artistically, and indeed what further variations on the experiment may be explored in the future.
Yannick Mosimann has crafted an intriguing film using the footage the pair (well, mainly Jeanne) filmed during their year-long experiment, raising a series of questions about the conflicting and deeply complex nature of emotions and engagement within interpersonal relationships. It confirms – as suspected – that you can’t plan (let alone hurry) love.
Switzerland, 2023, 92mins
Dir: Yannick Mosimann
Production: Project Axel Foley
Producer: Adrian Perez
Editor: Konstantin Gutscher
Music: Leoni Leoni, Yannick Mosimann
With: Jeanne Spaeter, Mike Argiz
