Filming started in Saint-Rémy-lès-Chevreuse on 31 May 2010 and lasted eight weeks . The film was recorded on one continuous set , which allowed the camera to move between each room without cuts . Bonello chose to focus the camera on the girls and almost never their clients . He explained : " it reinforces the impression that the prostitute is above the client . I told the actresses : ' Be careful , I want twelve intelligent girls . ' It was really important for me : they 're not being fooled , they are strong women . " The film had its premiere at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival where it played In Competition on 16 May 2011 . It was the fourth time a film by Bonello was screened at the festival , and the second time in the main competition , after '' Tiresia '' from 2003 . Haut et Court distributed the film in France , where it was released on 21 September 2011
2011 Cannes Film Festival
2011 Cannes Film Festival
House of Tolerance