☛ Cette critique est aussi disponible en français [➦].

Translated by Gabrielle Baillargeon-Michaud. 

As we await the North American release of Petite Maman, the latest film by French screenwriter and director Céline Sciamma (presented this month at Berlinale), we can revisit her prior movie, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. The film, which debuted in 2019, won Best Screenplay at Cannes. Remarkable in its own right, it has sometimes been overshadowed in the media by the tumultuous context of the film industry: the César for Best Film was awarded to a director guilty of unlawful sexual intercourse with a minor (Roman Polanski), amidst a wave of sexual abuse allegations sweeping through both the United States and France. “What a disgrace,” declared Adèle Haenel, one of the lead actresses cast in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, as she exited the César ceremony.

Portrait of a Lady on Fire intricately portrays not only Héloïse (Adèle Haenel), a young aristocrat just out of the convent, but also Marianne (Noémie Merlant), a painter hired by Héloïse’s mother (Valeria Golino) to secretly paint her daughter’s portrait. The narrative delves deeply into the intimate bond that forms between the two women and the significant role of art in their lives. It invokes the myth of Orpheus to intertwine the urges of artistic and romantic desires and simultaneously examines the question of the agency of the person who is desired. The cinematography, focusing on the eyes and hands of the characters, takes on profound symbolic importance. This is complemented by the symbolism of natural elements (water, fire, wind, earth), which elevate the scenery and the emotions portrayed.

Héloïse and Marianne also provide support to another character—Sophie, the maid—who embarks on her own journey. Sophie transitions from being a servant to a young woman facing an arranged marriage with a stranger, and eventually to an artist inheriting her father’s studio, illustrating the significant differences in their freedoms. Set in the 18th century, the story highlights the plight of women of the time by reflecting on experiences that connect the characters: unwanted pregnancy, abortion practices, friendship, and the societal norms and standards that dictate their standings. This film, in stark contrast to many films that fail the Bechdel test (as its male characters are incidental, unnamed, and do not interact), centres exclusively on the women’s journeys, embodying a resolute feminist stance. Additionally, it subtly addresses themes of transmission of knowledge, consent, and image rights.

By challenging conventional narrative expectations to empower her protagonists and give them control over their destinies, Sciamma crafts a magnificent work that places them at the heart of universal questions about love and creation, and therefore continues her journey that began in 2007 with the film Water Lilies.

Reference :

Director/Creator : Céline Sciamma
Title : Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Release Date : September 18th,2019

This movie is available on Youtube for 14,99$.