26
I actually saw this recommended here on Ovarit and decided to watch it, finally. I really liked it. The synopsis is as follows, from IMDb: "On an isolated island in Brittany at the end of the eighteenth century, a female painter is obliged to paint a wedding portrait of a young woman." Directed by Céline Sciamma, original title is "Portrait de la jeune fille en feu." Slight spoilers ahead.
I watched it alone which I highly enjoyed (I live with my male partner so we often watch movies together). It was very freeing to see the film with zero presence of male gaze. The intimacy of the two women was believable and not voyeristic, something I can't really say about any films that are directed by men.
I found the abortion themed substory slightly... I don't know? Unrelated to the main plotline? But it was still good, and I thought it was great to showcase how abortion has always been women's business, and that we've dealt with it forever. Amongst ourselves.
The ending made me quite tearful. It was very poignant with minimal effects. The overall mood of the film stayed with me for the whole day which was lovely - it felt like I had read a very beautiful, but a bit sorrowful, poem.
If you've seen the movie I'm interested in hearing your thoughts? What did you enjoy? Was there anything you didn't care for?
(Side note, but as I noted at the beginning, I only knew about this film thanks to Ovarit. It makes me sad to think I'll be potentially missing out on stuff like this in the future. :/ Sniff)