How 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' Reveals Its Secrets
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 25 ก.ค. 2024
- I remembered how great a capella is with this film.
Check out my merch!:
www.bonfire.com/store/spikima/
///
Music download: spikima.wixsite.com/spikima
Patreon: / spikima
Instagram: @ spikima
Your support helps with keeping the channel running.
Love.
///
#Movie
#Video
#Portraitofaladyonfire - ภาพยนตร์และแอนิเมชัน
Had so much fun making this one- hope you enjoy! On that note, I do see some very unfortunate editing mistakes (missing clips) in the middle. I must be very tired nowadays. Please do forgive! Love.
That was really great👍
I loved it ❤️
A great vid. Insightfull and well rounded, But….why do you not know the differance between the words woman and, plural, women ???? Read up on that :))
@@ispookie1 i actually do know! tho i admit i never say it too differently IRL as well. I guess watching too many of Noemie's interviews got me even more affected..;)
@@ispookie1 ikr he should've said womans!
@@SpikimaMovies That s a lame excuse for fauwlty Language. I am Norwegian and even I know the differance :))
Trivia: They have been addressing each other very formally in French, even as lovers. Only when Heloise asked Marianne to turn around was when she used an intimate pronoun of 'you', implying them as equals. ❤️
Thank you. I love details like this.
Steven Rumbalski You're welcome! It's wonderful to hear such important details that add more magic to this masterpiece of a film!
I’m learning French, and I didn’t notice that detail until rewatching the movie and that honestly blew my mind
Could you explain it? Im terrible at french but im very interested on this amazing trivia.
@@lonelysoul6829 I'm still learning but lemme try. In the movie, they always use _vous_ , the formal pronoun of 'you' in French when they talk to each other. Even after they made love, they still use "vous"! We also have to take note the difference in social class during their time, Heloise is an aristocrat and Marianne is an artist from the middle class. In French, when we are close with someone, like family and friends, we use _tu_ , which is an informal and intimate version of "vous".
So on the stairs, Heloise said, "Retourne-toi!" (Turn around!) The pronoun 'tu' is in that sentence--the ONLY time _tu_ was used! Heloise suddenly became intimate in the last minute, as if she's breaking the class barrier and declare her love before they part. Sadly, this nuance cannot be translated in English. I hope that helped! 😅
A little insight about the film's title:
In French the title is "portrait de LA jeune fille en feu" which means "portrait of THE lady on fire". For it to be "a lady" the french title should have been "portrait d'une jeune fille en feu". It's subtle, but this difference changes everything. Heloïse isn't just any woman on fire, she is THE one
Thank you!!
Reading this, hurts more. She’s The One That Got Away.
Why do you think they made that change though? Really just a mistake?
@@forpoodagain4943 I've got no idea. If it works the same way as it does here in France, it's a marketing team that translates film's title. That's how we end up with English titles translated... With another English title.
Exemple:
silver lining playbook = happiness therapy
The hangover = very bad trip etc.
And even when the title is translated it sometimes has nothing to do with the original, of sometimes there's some translation error. The best example would be The Last Jedi that has been translated as: Les derniers Jedi. "Les" implies a plural, so multiple last Jedi. But someone from Disney (or maybe the director himself I can't remember exactly) stated that it was an error and it should've been a singular article.
So there's no single answer here I'm afraid
@@loraelm2662 oh ok thanks for letting me know. this is something I’ll have to think about.
Another cool image too was when they were packing up the finished portrait to be shipped because it illustrates how heloise was going to be boxed up and caged in due to her soon marriage. It’s also interesting that the hands who nailed the box closed was also a man, pointing to how it’s men who are responsible for her oppression. What a great film
Only seen the film once, but if im not mistaken it was the mother who setup the marriage and was enforcing it so she herself could be free and happy by sacraficing the only daughter she has left. She already lost one daughter promising her to a man in Milan to gain happiness for herself, when that didnt work out and she commited suicide she tried again with Heloise. I see it as women using men to opress other women and or there children to gain happiness for themselves.
Brilliant! That's a really well spotted metaphor. You notice more meaning every time you watch it.
@@lauchlanmcleod6566 But not men who establish all the legal means that forces women like her mother do what she does in fear of having her daughter ostracized if not "properly married"? What would be the destiny of a woman in "high society" if not a nun - read sexuality controlled under a men's church - or a "respectable married lady" - whose main role was to breed to continue the family of her husband, since female side's names are erased through generations given the fact that is the men's name that label families? It's a men's system that rules everything, they seal and conceal all other means women would have to be truly free. In this terms, her mother's was only a piece in a men's game, like all women are. Therefore, yeah... It's men's oppression so stop blaming women.
@Ninad Kulkarni "Baseless assumptions"?! Implying the idea the mother was the one who willingly gave away her daughter just bc she wanted is not blaming women by taking away the focus of the nature of their oppression? I said what I said bc he refuted the idea given in the original comment that the director intended to highlight the nature of oppression of women through the scene of a man sealing the package of the painting to be delivered in order to a man - the Italian husband - evaluate if "fancied" the women and would take her as a wife. More as a property than a companionship, it must be said. The scene, alongside all other symbolic stances of the film, DOES mean women are subjugated to oppression due to their sex and have their lives framed by it - it was common to have your destiny played on such assumption, that is, you would either be a married woman and bear children to perpetrate he name of your husband's family and *their* property or become a nun and have all your property managed by church, a men's ruled institution. Aren't these the "choices" Heloise have? Isn't the message of the film built on symbols and aren't they related to denouncing the control of women's lives? Go take a look at the main tenet of what is called the "Frankish salic law / code" and see how easily it can explain why women in this given time of the film had the same "choices" Heloise had to be "respectable" through the eyes of society. Is that enough for you? Or will you belittle a feminist analysis like mine in favour of a misogynistic one like his again? For goodness sake, it is NOT "women using men to oppress other women"!!! It's women not having choices than the ones forced onto them to survive in a men's world!!! #givemeabreak #golearnwomensherstory
@Ninad Kulkarni Go read 'Caliban and the witch' by Silvia Federici to understand the real criticism beneath the surface done by Sciamma.
I just finsihed watching it and it's so beautiful. What I also realized after this is in contrast to Marianne who chose to face Heloise in her wedding dress (like Orpheus choosing the poet's path), I believe that Heloise knew that Marianne was in the theatre during the last scene. She resisted to look at Marianne, meaning she chose the lover's path (in context from their discussion of Eurydice and Orpheus' story). The film is magnificent. I am honestly lost for words.
YOU Made me cry , i didn't noticed this part. Heartbreaking Masterpiece.
that's such an amazing idea and it fits so well. I was really hoping for Heloise to face her but thinking about it this way makes it so much more beautiful
No mames, qué pedo. Tienes un chingo de razón. La neta me vas a hacer llorar, bro. No se me había ocurrido esa posibilidad.
OMGGG IM CRYING
Christ.That scene brought me to tears though I hadn't realized how much more tragic it actually was.
Also, the choir of women near the bonfire starts singing "non posso fuggire" repeatedly, which means "I can't escape" which I assume refers both to their love and their destiny
Awesome, I had no idea and love this detail.
Actually the director Celine Sciamma wrote the lyrics, here is what she says about them :
I wrote the lyrics in Latin. They’re saying, ‘fugere non possum,’ which means ‘they come fly,'” said Sciamma. “It’s an adaptation of a sentence by [Friedrich] Nietzsche, who says basically, ‘The higher we soar, the smaller we appear to those who cannot fly.'”
There’s a lot of lines that are merging at that moment,” she said. “This group of women, this big sorority that actually accompanies them, and taking the leap of love. There’s also literally the incarnation of the film; it’s very literal. They are facing one another, there’s fire between them, and one of them is going to be on fire, for real. I’m not spoiling because it’s on the poster. It’s also the moment where the film shows how literal it is, and that we’re going to set fire to the characters. The mise-en-scène is totally [consuming]. There’s no special effects; everything is done practical. So it’s also this idea of cinema.”
@@TheNewBeginnings2012 thanks, didn't know that! I based my comment on what I heard, but italian and latin can be really similar.
@@TheNewBeginnings2012
Sorry, your source is incorrect.
Possum = I can
Non = not
Fugere = escape / flee
@@Itcouldbebunnies fugio, fugere, fugi, fugitus can also be translated as “fly”
This was beautifully explained. There was one thing I noticed, remember when Marianne hugs Heloise's mother? She did that so she could hug her after, I believe she didn't want the mother to suspect.
So sad :((
This 💔
Yes I noticed that too.
I knew it
That’s true
"that explains your looks"
was a pretty hurtful line
God, I still remember how much it stung while I was watching in the cinemas
What does it mean?
I felt that too. She wanted her looks to be other than the gaze of an artist's object. She wanted to be the subject of a lover's gaze.
This hurt to hear too.
cosmic latte - She didn’t want her to look at her, but rather see her. She didn’t want to be observed, be an object to be looked at, but to be seen, be understood, be more than just a muse or a subject.
A line delivered with such great acting. Great moment!
Thinking of all the parallels already mentioned, I think of how in the beginning, Héloïse runs towards the cliffs, away from Marianne, only to turn around at the last moment, glimpsing at Marianne for the first time. In their final moments, Marianne is the one to run away, only to turn around to glimpse at Héloïse at the last moment, and for the last time. A beautiful and heartbreaking moment of symmetry. (apologies if this was already discussed in the comment section.)
wow nice
This is so heartfelt 💖💖
I think it also eludes to the story Héloïse read when the guy walks but at the threshold he turns back and looses her forever
Amazing analogy
This film impliedly shows that men, although absent, are storms on every woman's summer dream and isolation. The lack of male characters in this film clearly depicts women living in their own worlds.
then, when you finally are surprised to see a man at the end, he's putting Heloise('s portrait) into a wooden "cage", nailing it shut (note the time taken to zoom and focus on his hands hammering in each of the nails), and then slinging it over his back and taking it away. It's brilliant.
There's more domestic abuse in lesbian relationships than in hetero ones, so maybe those worlds of their own aren't all that safe.
the gazes in this movie made my heart hurt. i don't even know if i'll ever gaze at a man like that ever.
indeed
Same here
Lesbians need this kind of communication as a survival skill. It´s beautiful. (Excuse my poor english)
OMG same and it hurts so much
I want someone who looks at me like Heloise gazes at Marie Anne
i almost cried in that painting holding that book page 28. i can't cry because I'm not alone in the room.
@Deadsh07 noemie merlant is really worthy for best actress that moment i swear. if this film submitted to oscars she'll be nominated for sure
I know right 🥺
Yeah, and because man don't cry.
@@frankoi7022 why can't a man cry? that's just crazy to be a norm
@@roentgen8804 Just a joke, man. There is a song "Boys don't cry".
Why anyone is talking about the beautiful colors of this movie? one of my fav parts is when Sophie, Heloise and Marianne are picking some herbs and Each of them have clothes with the primary colors, it’s amazing!!
Or how they wear green and red dresses perfect contrast in color theory. Especially in the equalizing power dynamic scene.
@@katehale1404 Yes! The green and red dresses also resemble a well known painting of Orpheus and Eurydice.
In the end,
Marianne says "She didn't see me" and when the music fills the auditorium is like "Even though She didn't see me but I(Marianne) am all that she remembers now"
Heloise might see or feel Marianne in the last scene. But Heloise makes the lover‘s choice. She does not look back.
@@qingjianzhao5722 Heloise doesn't know Marianne is there unlike the story.
@@qingjianzhao5722 she decides to feel her through the music than to see her from afar
@@odmblogs Yes. I guess that is why Heloise has the emotional transition: agitation-sad-delight-sad. I assume she wouldn't be so excited if she didn't know Marianne is watching her.
@@qingjianzhao5722 Not the poet's choice? Poet's choice being choosing the memory of love, not love itself.
So like in the entire film, heloise is made out to be eurydice, and marianne would be orpheus. Throughout the film, it is made clear that marianne is the one who can choose either the lover’s or poet’s choice, while heloise (as eurydice) would be right behind her, always gazing at her lover. We know that marianne chose the poet’s choice; the memory of heloise.
But in the ending scene, the roles are reversed. Like in the painting scenes where heloise would pose for marianne, the camerawork significantly adds to the narration of the story. In the ending scene, marianne’s shot starts wide and exposed (implying that she is the muse now), while heloise’s shot becomes narrow and up-close (implying that she is now the artist). This means Heloise is now orpheus, and marianne is eurydice. This also means that Heloise is aware of marianne’s presence and refuses to look at her to make the “lover’s choice” or accepting the reality of the present.
It is explicit in the film how the lovers are painted as equals. The ending further stresses the sentiment that the women are on the same ground, experiencing the same oppression, despite differences in their social class. The roles of orpheus and eurydice that they portrayed in the story are revealed to be merely an illusion; the truth is that they are both orpheus and eurydice, in a sense that they do not have a choice. They are not free to choose. They are both women living in an absurdly patriarchal society, and they had only experienced true freedom in their short time together as lovers and equals. Their act of creating the painting together is an act of empowerment. It is their way of independence and taking control of their futures somehow, with the new-found freedom of their empowering love.
This film is beautiful
👌🏼👌🏼👏🏼👏🏼
punching the air rn
Heloise made the lover's choice 🥺💓
wow, you described it in such a beautiful way, thank you so much
Page 28. Everybody who has ever loved and lost needs a page 28 to help heal a broken heart.💔 Superb film.
So ironic because my page 28 was a woman and healed each other's broken hearts, broken by men, through our sisterhood/bond......Before, she told me I was her summer romance, and when we departed after our one month friendship (I was moving across country), I told her that this is the new chapter ("Surah"--chapter of the Quaran) to start our new lives whole again (She's muslim, I'm catholic). My name meant Prayer, her name meant Diamond.
Mi.Raeyna l
Can we talk sometime? Idk why but I need to tell u about me
@@aju-ne4sc 333³33⅜4324323233333343322222222222222²2222222222322222222232222222222222222222222222222222222222222222224322
@@imogenheap12345As a musIim, she truly experienced Heloises' position, and you Mariannes, I believe.
“In the solitude, I felt the liberty you speak of. But I also felt your absence.” This is so lovely. 🤩
Something I noticed , after Marianne and Heloise war of words with Heloise walking out and Marianne going after her and walks into the kitchen where the maid Sophie was sitting finishing the needlepoint. I noticed that the plant or flowers were dying when the camera zoomed in on them in contrast to an earlier scene where Heloise was cooking, Marianne was sitting at the table and Sophie was doing needle point. The flowers were very bright and full of life and she actually touched the petals . Very interesting contrast and I believe was deliberate to depict the bloom of love and their relationship in the beginning and the dying or end of their love/relationship towards the end. Simply amazing 😉
Good catch! I also think such way of depicting contrasts are very prominent in this film- like the first time Marianne meets Heloise: Heloise opens the door from inside to reveal a bright, lighted outside, and walks outside without turning around until at the very edge of the cliff- very wink wink to the later images and story about Orpheus and also tells us of their initial relationship and how theyre not yet the lovers they will become later in the film
Spikima Movies WOW, you just pointed out something I missed also. That’s very astute of you to see that. This is why this movie had to be slow moving but riveting just like Marianne’s favorite music . I think I just made another observation without meaning to. Awesome catch !
Spikima Movies I just thought of something along the same lines to add to what you observed. In the beginning when they met Eloise opened the door like you said , walked out to sunshine , started running and turned around just before the edge but in the ending, Marianne was also running down the steps and when she opens the door to emit light, Eloise says “Turn around”, when Marianne looks at her in the wedding dress she then closes the door and there’s darkness just like when Orpheus turns and looses Eurydice forever. Here they were lovers but will lose each other for eternity.Simply amazing, 😯
@@b52bomber23 yup that's exactly it :) thats what i meant when i talked about Marianne constantly looking back at night to see Heloise in her dress disappear, and how Heloise adds that it may have been Eurydice who said 'turn around' as Heloise assumes that role at the end by telling Marianne to turn around, and Marianne chooses the poet's choice and loses Heloise physically like Orpheus, but keeps her in her memory instead!
Spikima Movies Exactly our and I have one question for you because your perspective is insightful and genius. We all know how it ends but I’m still wondering about a couple things. First, remember when the painting was completed and Marianne tells Heloise she wish it wasn’t because she felt that with it finished, she was giving her away to another . Then Heloise proceeded to get upset with Marianne because of no support in general terms. Why was Heloise so upset because she knew that Marianne loved her as much as she loved her. Why did Marianne not say at least how she felt. Second, what did Marianne see in the program that made her go straight to Heloise’s portrait on the wall that clearly had a large gathering. Third, why didn’t she go to see her after the concert, they were in the same building especially after seeing Heloise’s reaction during Marianne’s favorite song. I could see the love and hurt from Marianne’s absence in her life on Heloise’s face and reactions. Finally, Heloise lived in Milan and Marianne knew that plus also her mother’s name, so why couldn’t she not go visit. I understand that maybe Heloise was restricted but seeing her alone at the music told me she had some freedom. Maybe the daughter was a bargaining chip for the husband who used it to keep Heloise from leaving. Back then women had no rights and married for stability not love. We all know that it’s partly why the mother wanted to marry her off because it benefited her social position and probably wealth also. I didn’t like the mother because I felt she was just interested in her own selfish reasons. I’m waiting to see your insight when you have time. I’m a fan of yours😘
I counted 4 times Heloise wanted to kiss Marianne. Such mesmerizing gazes.
Which parts?
@@marialourdespereira8457 this is even before Heloise asked Marianne if she had known love
. this is also my opinion.
when Marianne said I understand you (~32 min.)
when Heloise asked Marianne if she had heard an orchestra (~37 min)
the whole time Marianne was playing the piano (~39 min)
when Heloise told Marianne she felt liberty but also Marianne's absence (~42)
@Katrina Loreto yess i see that now.. wow.. 😍
Thanks.. indeed mesmerising... I wish someone looks at me this way...
This film is yearning personified. It is the embodiment of burning your lover's image on your mind. What a well-written video essay. You explain the things I unconsciously think about with such heart and precision.
Lesbians be yearning
I wish i could tattoo Portrait of A Lady On Fire video essays on my heart
i love that the women choir is literally singing "I can't escape" so that when Heloise gazes at Marianne deep inside she's literally crying for help. Also it could refer to Euridice (Marianne) that just can't escape the underworld and so her faith.
i got goosebumps reading your interpretation, very well said :)
@@palomavaldez3988 thank you! ❤️
Far and away the best romance story ever put to film. Great analysis too :)
Diana , I absolutely agree with you.
i would say that would be days of heaven (1978)
Call me by your name just edges it
@@ilovesasukeandleto no waaaay, the casting of armie hammer ruins it for me. he's great as a 36 year old grown adult that lusts after a teenager, but he's dreadful at his actual role of a mid 20s college dude falling in love with a younger man.
@@Cross3dPoisons as much as I love call me by your name, you're actually correct. timothee owned that movie. the parents did a really great job too. but for armie? ngl he looked way too old to act as a 24 year old, at least to me. armie is really great at that thing elio despises, which is _being indifferent,_ hence "later," but other than that, armie's expressions are very limited. he never seemed romantic to me in the film. i think if they casted another man, maybe it wouldn't really change anything. but remove timothee, then i dont think this would become a memorable movie. yes, some might argue armie and timothee have great chemistry, but i think timothee has the ability to connect with other actors regardless
A round of applause for Helene Delmaire for making all the portraits that was used in this movie ✨🔥💙👏🏻👏🏻
This movie is so good. Watched it over 10 times and caught the same feels ✨🔥
Watched this last night for the first time and it's now my favorite movie of all time
Same here....10th time today
Indeed, for my friend Helene ;).
I relate the last scene of Héloïse crying in front of the orchestra to when the women discuss the music of Milan will only be a brief moment of joy in Héloïse’s married life. The fact she has such a profound emotional response in the ending hints that she truly is miserable in her marriage. A beautifully layered and crafted film.
Wow I've seen this film 8 times now and watching you tie together everything made me cry again! I don't think I've ever explicitly thought about the camera movements during the "we're in the same place" scene so seeing that contrasted really blew my mind! Celine is a genius and thank you for this analysis!
I actually got to appreciate this film more while making this video - I'm glad you enjoyed my vid, esp. if you've watched the film 8 times!
Alice you’re correct with the camera movement analysis. I didn’t get it until this analysis either but I’ve thing I did pick up was after Heloise countered Marianne with her own riveting observations, the lighting changed to a bit darker when Marianne walked back and began painting. I believe the darker light was reflective in how she was feeling because Heloise dropped the mic on that exchanged.
@@b52bomber23 Hm wow I don't think I noticed that either! Every time I watch this scene I'm just so entranced by their chemistry and the dialogue that I guess I've been missing out on the technical aspects!
Alice Wang Me too but I’m happy to find others such as you who appreciate this movie and it’s genius. This should be used in film making class as a tool of how your script and directing, cinematography and acting are perfectly meshed.
@@b52bomber23 I absolutely agree! Always a great time to talk about this film with like-minded others! And I'm dying to read the screenplay but it doesn't seem like Celine will release it. I really hope she does though!
When I'm in love, I seek to memorize my partner. Their hands, their freckles, the way they talk, their laugh, the way their hair drapes across their face. I love them so much that when I'm apart from them I have them in my mind so that no matter the length of time I can gaze upon them in my memory. I think that might be why I love this film so much. Marianne seeks first to memorize Heloise so that she can paint her. After their love becomes apparent, the two seek to memorize each other before they are separated for the remainder of their lives. I don't know, I just really love this movie
"That last scene is the reason I’m making the film. There is everything, there is surprise, thrill, a beating heart, anticipation, melancholy, focus, the blush in her cheeks, remembrance, sadness and her deepening breath. All the behaviors of a woman, you used to know well, whom you loved looking at, whom you loved, period. But there are also things you never noticed before, maybe because they are novelties, like that wrinkle in the corner of her eye, maybe because they are things you could not see before and had to discover for yourself". _Celine Sciamma
Also... when the canvas fell into the water. The one that would be used for Heloise’s portrait. “It floated” and later Heloise has the desire to swim away and escape her destiny. But she can only float as pointed out by Marianne. The meaning is that she can not by force escape her destiny. But she can ‘float’ and survive. ; Not drown. Also it’s ‘very’ interesting at the abortion that Marianne looks away. Since she’s an artist and her abilities are fueled by what she sees. Heloise totally picks up on this point And makes her look. And by making Marianne also paint the scene. It helps Marianne get further in touch by the power of what she sees to into use that gift as an artist. And Heloise is showing her self to be so wise and insightful to Marianne about art. I know you covered this in your vid. Just adding a bit to it.
Astrogl1, “ Amazing analysis that I didn’t pick up. Wow , now I understand the significance of her wanting to get in the water and Marianne telling her she can float . Also, the canvas did float away but Marianne rescued it and the symbolism is stunning . Well done my friend, I’m totally enthralled with this movie because there is so much depth and meaning in every aspect , whether it’s the script, the actresses expressions, the cinematography, the camera movements, just fantastic and a masterpiece for centuries to come. I’ll be watching it again this week when I’m off work. Great job😘
Here’s another observation in relation to what you said. Early in the film , Heloise wanted to swim and Marianne said no, another time because it’s dangerous and you need to know how to swim( paraphrasing). Marianne recognized that Heloise needed to know how to manage and cope (impeding situation) before making the decision (choice) to go into the water . This film is just brilliant!
B52 BOMBER that’s great!! There is a emphasis on the Elements... “fire” “water” “wind” “earth” visually ... and with Heloise being ‘fire’ Marianne would be ‘water’
astrogrl1 Exactly, your are indeed awesome 👏 I see the symbolism now and when Heloise gets in the water , she makes the decision that wound effect things including Marianne staying and setting the events in motion . I still find it astonishing that Celine the director wrote the script. Such a gifted and forward thinking artistic mind.
gem 04 hulu
What I also really love is the quality of the paintings in the movie. It really looks like something that could have been painted in the era - so often this is overlooked when the actor's face is not so expertly pasted into a period painting. And also you can see the actual painting process, the sketching, the laying of color on the canvas... It's not just tracing an already painted shape, which is how painting is commonly shown on film.
And the costumes are amazing, the filmography... I love when it all comes together and you see that the filmmakers cared about every single thing, not only the great script and acting and all that.
OMG you missed 2 important details: First, at the bonfire scene, Marianne has a dejavu, she suddenly realizes the connection between the portrait that caught fire before which didn´t really mean anything until Heloise's dress caughts fire too. You can see the way she's STUNNED cause she doesn´t rush to help her, she just stares digesting the idea of this "prediction" coming to life and as an artist she is trying to give this a powerfull meaning. This of course got into her soul and is the reason she paints "Portrait of a lady on fire" This is like THE MOMENT.
Second: If you pay attention people during this century didn't touch or even get close to each other when greeting or saying goodbye. It was a matter of respect just bending a little to salute. So when Marianne has to say goodbye to Heloise in front of her mom you can see her standing still a sec thinking how to get close to Heloise and hug her without the mother suspecting anything. Thats why she breaks all this etiquette rules and hugs the mom first (who gets shoked when Marianne gets too close) and then Heloise.
Okay now I'm done :)
yessssss omg omg so good... i love it!
thankyiou
Thank you!!
I noticed ur first point the fifth time I watched it, and your second point the sixth time. This movie is one of the best things this century has offered
I can’t put into words how much I love everything about this movie
I’ve come to the stark realization that I’m not nearly intelligent enough to understand half of this movie.
I don’t care, I still fucking loved it.
A poem inspired by Portrait de la jeune fille en feu
"She didn't see me", I said
But that was a lie,
I know she did.
Her tears told me,
Her breath called out to me;
Like a painter's brush
Caresses the canvas,
Her breath
Caressed the air.
I could tell
That she didn't
"See" see me;
But her smile, as if she knew
Made me think of that day
When she said that she has never dreamt about me
But that she has always thought
About it.
I'm just a poet;
I'll always turn around.
I would rather have you be a memory
Than a sound reaching my heart.
NO YOU DID NOT
@@songbird6414 Sorry?
Sara Dudkowska no it’s just really good. “She didn’t see me” was probably the saddest line I’ve ever heard and your poem perfectly captured it. Nice one.
@@songbird6414 Thank you! I'm so glad that you liked my poem!
Can I use this idea for a project?
Great analysis! May I add how right in the end Marianne takes credit for a painting of Orphee and Eurydice, and the old man explains how rare is how she captured that particular moment, as if Orphee was saying goodbye to her. As I interpret it, this is another way of remembering Héloïse, particullary extending the moment she saw her for the last time in the house (Eurydice also has a white dress). The portrait shown at the beginning of the class is her way to capture the moment she saw herself with the other women as equal and her passion burning literally Héloïse... When the class is over she points at ther student being drawn melacholic, the student replies that's how she was posing and Marianne answers that's not how she feels anymore: is clear, as you pointed out, she took the poet's choice, and is content with remembering Héloïse as an equal, not just some random lover or a muse. The epilogue shows both woman connected by the burning passion of memory infuse on Vivaldi's composition. In conclussion, these women may not be together, but their shared passion lives in the art they made, they inspired and they presented to each other. How this film didn't win every award last year is beyond my comprehension....Thanx!!!
Well said ! Love your thoughts
Absolutely agree with you. Just goes to show that awards don’t always reflect quality.
Parasite won the top prize that year.
I loved this. I have only one qualm with this analysis that comes as no fault of your own. For myself, and I think most lesbians, the fire doesn't represent love. It represents a deep and continuous burning *anger* that only another lesbian understands. The world is against us. Helosie is incredibly angry throughout this film. All exchanges of potential love eventually succumb to the fire that rages in her heart. She is being married off against her will to a man, someone she knows she will never love. None of her decisions are her own. She will never be allowed to be who she wants to be. This is something a male eye will never be able to relate to.
But seriously, I loved everything else about this analysis. You captured the film and it's symbolism so well. Thank you for this!
Love it. Thanks for that!
In the film, I perceived fire as a symbol of passion, anger and doom--an element that's igniting and destructive at the same time. Beautiful.
beautiful response
Ooo I was just talking with someone today about fire as a metaphor-thanks for sharing your take on it!
in my head i think about the story of eurydice and how she descends back into the underworld with hades. she looks back and the sun through the open door falls on Helosie before she descends into darkness. i agree the fire is anger. but i also think it is their devastating and unavoidable end. eurydice and orpheus. a love that can only exist in their memory.
when the orchestra was playing in the last scene, Heloise was going through series of expressions by crying then laughing and back into crying again, remember how marianne and heloise was talking about orchestra in the piano scene playing almost the same tune to the last scene, and marianne also told heloise to "Don't regret, remember", heloise was reminiscing their moments, the reason for the execution of the last scene.
This was riveting, insightful, well-thought, and intelligently presented. I'm coming away with a greater love of this film after watching your video, thank you for sharing your thoughts on the film!
I just realize this line for the ending "Don't regret. Remember"
i like how in this scene when Mariane runs to Heloise on the beach loud sea waves are used (instead of music) to increase the emotional impact
I loved every second of this film. The sound design in it is key also, Céline chooses (wisely) to not opt for a score, instead letting the elements take over the film filling the voids, propelling the musical section at the climax to the sky, making it so much powerful.
I would just like to add one thing to this explendid analysis, and amazing comment section. On the scene when Marianne plays a song for Eloise, the composition reminded me a lot of Vermeer's painting the music lesson, and how light enters from the left to the right, landing on Eloise's face, marking her moment of enlightenment through art.
I made a video about the way it uses sound!
th-cam.com/video/pCtIN9gz6GA/w-d-xo.html
also the song the group of women is singing says on repeat "non posso fuggire" that translated from italian means "I can't run away", which sums up pretty well the ending lived by Héloise
Indeed! And what a song it is in general.
This wonderful and beautifully crafted movie has left a deep spot in my heart and with such superb analysis,l will forever remember this love story. The best of 2019 that I enjoyed .Thank You
“She didn’t see me”
Actually, Heloise doesn’t need to “see” Marianne to really see her. Marianne is always there in Heloise’s heart and mind, she still sees the love of her life regardless her absence, sees the one she loves the most even from the sounds of the music. Heloise sees Marianne everywhere, since the first time that they kissed, they’ve already become one. What a miserable yet beautiful love story. It touched every corner of my soul.
You’re seriously the best film examiner out there it’s incredible!!
Thank u! Lets spread the word wooo! ;)
Fire is an important symbol in this film, in the start when Marianne begins to have feelings for Heloise and she is close to her, the fire (either in the kitchen or her room) will always be right behind Marianne like if she’s burning for Heloise.
I've watched the movie five times by now, crying every time. Now, it's the sixth time i cry, but not by watching the film, instead, watching your analysis. This is powerful, that movie is powerful, thank you.
This music of this movie is just amazing. All these women are singing in latin one simple phrase, "Fugere non possum", in French "je ne peux plus m'enfuir" and finaly in English
"I can't run away anymore". This message, lourder an lourder as the two gazes at each other and Héloïse catch fire is absolutely amazing.
Great essay about a truly masterpiece. One of the stories better told on film
One thing that convinced me that this film is a masterpiece is the power of storytelling. It is a revisit on the past experience of Marianne, the one who we're looking the narrative of. The interval of time from the moment she met Heloise and the present time when she's in exhibit (I forgot how long but I think it's quite a long gap) is significant because it shows that her feelings towards her is still intact and strong that she can remember vividly every single memory of her (as shown in the film). Not only that, her reaction when she saw Heloise's portrait and the page 28 was priceless because she found out she's not the only one who holds the memory that they had together regardless of long years of not seeing or knowing what happened after they parted ways. We can confirm they still have mutual feelings at the end scene when we saw Heloise's face while listening to Vivaldi's Summer.
Just watched this movie yesterday as I was waiting for it to hit streaming. I always know that I truly loved a film because I want to go watch a video essay about it, thanks for posting this
This video reconfirmed what a lot of us already knew, this film is brilliant start to finish. Thanks for explaining why it is so succinctly.
Romanticism and real Love are revived in this film. a forever Masterpiece in every possible way. I think its the only Universal, French film ever made.
The film is beautiful to look at, deep and rich as if rendered in oils, the romance at it's centre is very real and precisely described, the peripherals of life that frame the story are exactly drawn and the films ending / endings, hit successively harder until that amazing covert slow zoom onto Heloise' face as Valvaldi's Summer explodes all around us. These are my thoughts having watched the film 3 times - and your perspectives here have made me appreciate many more facets of this sublime piece of film making. I can't imagine anyone's bias or bigotry getting in the way of the power of this film - it's simply that good. Essentially, a deeply soulful experience - recommended for everyone. Thanks!
Thanks for this perfect analysis. There's something though that I find a turning point in their story that is when Marianne and Eloïse have this fight the day before Eloïse's mother arrives. There's a moment when Eloïse asks Marianne "would you prefer that I oppose [to my marriage]?" and Marianne answers "yes", and afterwards Eloïse asks again "are you asking me to?" and Marianne answers "no". When I saw this scene, I read that Eloïse was (at least for a brief moment) hoping Marianne would explicitly ask her to refuse her marriage, and Marianne doesn't ask her that, thus not breaking their equality. This realization is, for me, what sets the next events and allows Eloïse and Marianne to end their story as a metaphor of Orpheus and Eurydice's.
wow. wow. wow. Just when I thought I've peeled through most of the layers of the film, here you are presenting us with another whole lot of layers. This is beautiful.
Thank you. :D
How distressing for men that so many women are capable of being lovers and having a bond that a man may never have, it is so prevalent and natural in our society now and historically, art well brushstrokes and color of the subject often reveal little of their personality.
We don't care
@Jon Snow onnu podappa
"how distressing for men"
Men big mad here
They're capable of being abusive lovers as well. There's more Domestic abuse in lesbian relationships than in hetero ones.
Wow, that was simply an amazing insight of my favorite film. I’ve seen it 6 times and until now didn’t get all the little hints and clues that were subliminal. Thanks to you, I’ve now a complete understanding of thus film and what it represented and was trying to portray. You’re a gift and Godsend. Thank you, this is a gift that you have 😘
What a compliment! Thank you for that!
Your analyses are all great and this is your best one yet!
Thank u!
This movie hits so close to me as I’ve had to say goodbye to the love of my life many times and it’s never gotten easier, and this movie never failed to make me cry even once since my first time seeing it. It’s so beautifully done and heartbreaking. I adore this movie as much as I adore my own love.
felt
I cried several times watching this movie. The expressions performed by the actors were executed so powerfully.
Let's clarify something here. This is not a movie. This is a masterpiece. A beautiful legacy from here to the end of time.
the eurydice orpheus stuff :(
This movie really presented a lot of heartfelt emotion, even just in their the way they stare and the exchange of strong words between them it transmit to the viewers like the way it should be felt.
At the end when Marianne said she does not see me,.hurts but the way how Heloise cry it signifies all she remember was their time together.
This review is so insightful and intelligently expressed,I admire how it had been presented.
One of the most poignant movies I've watched ever. You watch it once and you feel yes, it's such a heartfelt movie. But then again you feel no, I've missed out something. There are more and more layers, and you watch again and again and find more intricate details with each. It's a never ending learning process with amazing performance, direction and feel.
Your analysis is spot on and got to learn a lot from it. I would still like to know if there's any hidden meaning with the eyes turning black for Heloise as the same was done with Marianne also but nothing happened to her. Thanks once again ❤️
The saddest thing about everything is the fact that people don't watch foreign films and remakes tend to not capture what the original has (never)- if they ever do an English remake... this film was breath taking and the ending sent me down a rabbit hole. Ugghhh I was hooked from the moment Helosé turned around. She took my breath away with her eyes. What makes this film even greater is the fact that we are gazing at them too. (It turns into a cycle. We still think about the film and about their relationship. In the end we get to see the memories of Marianne and gaze upon her deepest secret and deepest hurt and in the end when it triumphs with the final score it is asif we have to say goodbey too.)
I hope to never see an English remake, but I do hope it inspires filmmakers. I loved the lack of male gaze. I loved that the nudity was incidental. It just showed casual intimacy and wasn't shown for eroticism. I loved that the relationship had space to grow and change, that each character was fully fleshed out. More of that please!
Watched this last night and full on ugly cried during those last scenes, think this movie might be a new all time fav
I had the most visceral reaction to the ending of this movie. I cried so hard. Couldn't stop. It shook me. Needles to say that no other movie ever touched me this way.
Celine filmed a work of art, yes, but the actresses were perfect. Thank you for this analisis.
I love this video so much, especially the analysis at the 9 minute mark of the shot distance and transition in the habits scene. Great insight. So glad people are talking about this movie.
This film is truly magnificent, one of the best films I have seen in a long time.
I love how at the end Marianne says that helaoise didn’t see her in the concert hall, when in reality Marianne was probably all she saw as the music started to play 😢
Thank you so much for making this well explained, great structured, and insightful film analysis! I think it's the best of all the reviews I've seen so far. Portrait of a Lady on Fire is one of my all time favourite movies. I've watched it 4 times but I know there're still some messages that I haven't discovered yet, and thanks to you I finally found them :D
Im glad you got to enjoy it- was definitely one of the most fulfilling video to make!
I think the thing about Morpheus being asked to turn around is that if he did, he like the painter if this film, would get to see their love for one last final time knowing ultimately that they won’t be together. Whereas if he doesn’t turn around he is faced with the uncertainty of if his love is still behind him all this time. As bittersweet as it is, with this film they weren’t going to be together from the start but like how she still connects through the painting, that last gaze at their love will haunt them forever but also fill them with ease because they were asked to turn around not doing it out of selfishness. Like their lover knew it would be the last time they see each other. I hope that explanation makes sense. It sounded better in my head😅
This video makes me appreciate the film even more, and now I want to go back and rewatch it.
"To see, and to be seen."
A profound effort. Looking back and analyzing the design in films is one of my greatest pleasures and your insight into the matter has been of tremendous significance. A warm thank you.
That was a fantastic analysis. Thank you so much for sharing!
I nominate you for a PBS program on cinema analysis !
Amazingly done! Loved the movie, and your analysis shows even more how great the movie is, thank you for taking the time and showing this totally underrated movie to the world in an intelligent and beautiful way!
And thank you for watching!
the scenes in this movie are like paintings which perfectly complement the poetic storytelling. so beautiful!
i personally love the scene when heloise’s skirt caught fire and people rushed in, pushed her down. it is a painting. and the transition after that- absolutely stunning. i would watch it over and over again. (the sounds are also great, minimal and impactful)
Thank you very much. I truly enjoyed it. Very revealing and enlightening. A fitting companion to an exquisite film.
Thank you! It rlly was an exquisite film!
Te cunosc?
I love your synopsis of this movie. You covered it superbly. You covered every nuance from beginning to end concisely. They are both so serious in the beginning of their alliance. It is refreshing watching them relax and become more than friends. Nobody could have analyzed this relationship more accurately. Great job.
Simply an amazing analysis of my favorite film, which helped me dive deeper into the concepts I had just started contemplating. Thank you so much.
As if I couldn't love this film more than I already do. It's mesmerizing how you analyzed all these little nuances that just makes this film that much better. Amazing video on an amazing film 💕
This is absolutely a beautiful film. I loved the fact that it's a french film. The 3 ladies speak so soft & beautiful. The mother depending on her daughter to get married is still a lifestyle in today's modern day..
the ending of this video gave me chills. this was such an amazing movie and this was an amazing explaination.
Red and green being compliments uhhhhh so amazing
such a beautiful analysis, this video made me cry again. this movie is truly one of the best i have seen in years
For a two hour movie it didn’t feel very long. I loved everything about it.
I loved your practical analysis of this movie. This movie has become too close to my heart and you have reviewed it so beautifully while describing the actual meaning of a “great portrait” . I wish more of us could see what you have seen in the movies , paintings and other forms of art around us. Keep up the good work . This is my video i watched on your channel and i am your new subscriber now. Hope to see more of your extraordinary works .
this video really encapsulates several of the most important parts of this beautiful film, i loved it. thank you for your work
I had been meaning to watch this film for a while and I just found it on Hulu. It’s so beautiful, may have sobbed a little.
This movie is one of my favourites, and means a lot to me and my sexuality in ways I cannot word.
hard same
So glad you did this, loved it
Brilliant analysis - I love this film it is so rich and loving an amazing gift about how love can give you yourself. Truly the characters love made them both them both richer despite the heartbreking loss. I appreciate your insights you have a gift for synthesis and taking us deeper into the art of this film. Thank you.
this whole movie is a masterpiece
You got a really strong understanding of it! Thank you for the fascinating commentary, it does help me a lot!
This narration made a wonderful movie even more compelling. Thanks for your efforts! I really enjoyed it!
Thank you for this! I've been studying this film since I saw it in December but I completely missed the role of camerawork. The premise of this film is simple but the depth and layers it has beyond that initial simplicity are incredible, e.g. art and artists and their muses, love and desire and memory, the concept of gaze, and women's role in society. Celine Sciamma has become a huge inspiration to me as a writer.
I never encountered a movie that addresses tenderness between women the way this movie does
truly enjoyed this breakdown. I am so affected by this film having only found it recently that I look for outlets to re experience it and deal with it even when I am not re watching it. The most beautiful film experience I have had. Celine and these wonderful women created something very special. Thanks for posting this.
Amazing analysis. The explanation of the scene of the portait, close camera on Marianne then Éloïse was great. It shows how the direction was thought in every details.
Thank you