Portrait of a Lady on Fire (2019)

Director: Céline Sciamma Cast: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel, Luàna Bajrami Rating: R21 - Some homosexual content On the eve of the French Revolution, Marianne, a young painter, is sent to a windswept island to paint the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a fiercely independent woman who refuses to pose. Disguised as a companion, Marianne secretly observes her… but the more she looks, the more an unexpected and powerful bond forms between them. Portrait of a Lady on Fire premiered in competition for the prestigious Palme d’Or at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival, where it made history as the first film directed by a woman to win the Queer Palm. Director Céline Sciamma also received the Best Screenplay Award at Cannes, solidifying the film’s place among modern cinematic achievements. Following its theatrical release in France, the film went on to receive international acclaim, earning nominations at the Golden Globe Awards, Independent Spirit Awards, and Critics' Choice Awards for Best Foreign Language Film. In 2022, the film was voted the 30th greatest film of all time in the Sight & Sound critics’ poll, a remarkable distinction that underscores its lasting impact. Universally praised for its beauty, emotional depth, and quiet power, Portrait of a Lady on Fire is now considered not only one of the best films of 2019, but of the 21st century and even of all time. 120mins In French with English subtitles France Drama, Romance, History