Currently screening at the Toronto International Film Festival, Céline Sciamma’s “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” made its world premiere at Cannes, where it made history as the first woman-directed film to take home the Queer Palm. The slow burn romance also took home the honor for Best Screenplay. A new trailer has arrived for the pic, which currently boasts a 100 percent “Fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Set in 1760 France, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire” sees an artist hired to do an unconventional job — her subject, a reluctant bride to be, can’t know she’s working on her portrait. Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) has refused to sit for other artists. She’s under the impression that Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is a companion to go on walks with. In reality, Marianne is studying Héloïse, and sneakily working on a painting of her that will be sent to a potential suitor in Milan.
“What do you know of my marriage? Héloïse asks Marianne in the spot. “Nothing,” her new friend admits. “That’s all I know too,” says Héloïse.
Marianne isn’t sure when or if she will marry. “You can choose,” Héloïse observes. “That’s why you don’t understand me.”
But the women understand each other better than they realize, and as time goes on, their attraction can’t be denied.
Sciamma’s previous credits include “Girlhood” and “Tomboy.”
“Portrait of a Lady on Fire” arrives in theaters December 6.