You ever find yourself staring at a bonfire? Just zoning out and watching the flame change every second, feeling the heat, the energy, the anger, the tension, you get what I’m saying. It’s a beautifully hypnotic thing, and that’s exactly what Portrait of a Lady on Fire is. The only difference being that this brought me to tears in ways a bonfire never could.

No spoilers but I didn’t breathe for the last few minutes of this movie

CIFF 2019: film #2

“he doesn’t make the lover’s choice, but the poet’s”

my body is still visibly shaken, and i cried the entire duration. i haven’t been this moved by a film in years. not only is it exquisitely made, but the emotional toll it took on me is almost damaging. yearning personified: seen through the stokes of a paintbrush, or across the flames of a fire. crushing and beautiful and fleeting. sometimes all that’s left is the memory, but the memory stays. that last shot is going to haunt me

“not everything is fleeting. some feelings are deep”

i finally figured it out. many times when i watch a new favorite film, it adds something to my life, a new, additional piece of me. with this, it calmly settles down in a special empty space in my heart, an emptiness that’s been eagerly waiting for it to come along. it makes me feel more complete. going forward, i’m thankful i get to carry this with me now. it fits so naturally that it feels like it’s always been there, and now it always will be

“but i also felt your absence”

means so much to me now in so many ways that i can barely express it anymore. very often i just can’t find the words. i’m so thankful i have this

its come to my attention that women are the only people who know how to make movies

“i feel something new.”
“what?”
“regret.”
“don't regret; remember.”

Cult Classic Challenge
LGBTQ
Film 2/41

Take to social media and critique what is seen on film... When portrayals are inauthentic or female directors are missing, consumers need to call it out. These studios, and in particular their shareholders, need to know. These are companies that are not representing the world in which we live

— Dr. Stacy L. Smith from the book "Backwards and in heels" by Alicia Malone

This little quote reminded me of a tweet I saw from the cast saying they are aware of the enthusiasm the movie caused on social media and they are happy about it. This makes me think about the times we read online that talking about certain things doesn't do anything, that we are lazy for using social media to voice our discomforts. Nevertheless, the film held an impact I certainly won't forget.

There's a definitely some resemblance between this and Call Me By Your Name, which is probably why I was so taken by it.

Two things that stood out:

A group of women start to sing around a bonfire, and it is the single most grandiose thing to come out of nowhere.

The number 28; it wouldn't mean anything to those who haven't yet seen the film, but for those who have, it was this that did it for me.

As much about the power art can possess as it is about love. Its first half, which ends with the film getting rather uncomfortably didactic, is put to great use in its second half to sneak up on you. A very affecting film that's not at all shy about doing some meta-commentary along the way. All being said, the necessary byproduct of such a film is the tendency to make look every frame a painting, which, while beautiful to look at, tends to break the illusion at times. (This was particularly bothersome in some of the most intimate moments.)

I. HAVE. NO. WORDS. HOW. WONDERFUL. THIS. FILM. IS.

28

Just an exquisite movie. It pays attention to the small details of the time period, has wonderful art, and is gay, I couldn't ask for more.

凝视与反凝视。当赤裸的观察目光化作丘比特之箭，俄狄浦斯式的无解命运也能被洞穿。