Cinema listings with film information and movie reviews
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
Celebrated French film-maker Celine Sciamma made her feature directorial debut with the tender coming-of-age drama Water Lilies, starring Adele Haenel. The writer-director and actress reunite for a sumptuous period drama, which stokes forbidden desire between two women in mid-18th century Brittany. Heloise (Haenel) has just left a convent and is powerless to prevent an arranged marriage - sight unseen - to an Italian nobleman. Her mother, La Comtesse (Valeria Golino), plans to present the groom-to-be with a portrait of his prize but Heloise steadfastly refuses to pose. Consequently, La Comtesse secretly hires painter Marianne (Noemie Merlant) to produce the flattering portrait. Marianne is introduced as a walking companion for Heloise and must closely observe the bride-to-be during clifftop strolls before painting at night from memory. As the two women spend more time together under false pretences, sparks of attraction unexpectedly crackle between them.
