Day 5: French Romantic Films

Senior Experience Foreign Film Project

Day 5: French Romantic Film

Today's films to close out the week were two that have been on my radar for quite a while now, "Pierrot Le Fou (1965, directed by Jean-Luc Godard)" and "Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019, directed by Céline Sciamma)"

Pierrot Le Fou (1965, dir. Jean-Luc Godard)

Journey to the end of the beach: Godard, Karina and Pierrot le fou | Sight & Sound | BFI

As far as a first film by the legendary Jean-Luc Godard I was very happy with this movie, especially the style. The framing and composition was unique and purposefully disconnecting that made the film seem vibrant and full. The acting across the board was incredible and passionate, and the editing was stand out. The way cuts are made break the sense of reality in such a unique way that they become enjoyable, reminding the viewer that it is just a movie. Technically a marvel but I did have a hard time connecting with the plot, even if the two leads were great characters it was hard to form an emotional tie with the movie personally. That said I'm excited to watch more Godard that will appeal more to me. 4/5

Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019, dir. Céline Sciamma)

 Portrait of a Lady on Fire” Is More Than a “Manifesto on the Female Gaze” | The New Yorker

What an emotional experience. This film tackles the difficulties of being LGBTQ+ (especially in an older society presented here) when forced into another direction perfectly, with incredible performances especially by the two leads and breathtaking visuals. everything here felt so purposeful and beautiful, nothing was wasted or made to demean others, simply a movie that left me breathless after the credits started rolling, showing a tragic story of cursed love. 5/5

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