directed by: Céline Sciamma, year: 2019
actors: Noémie Merlant, Adèle Haenel

Set in the late 18th century, 'Portrait of a Lady on Fire' is a poignant tale of forbidden love and artistic passion. The film follows Marianne, a young painter commissioned to create a wedding portrait of Héloïse, a reluctant bride-to-be who refuses to pose. As Marianne secretly observes and sketches Héloïse, an intimate bond develops between the two women. This visually stunning film explores themes of love, memory, and the power of art, offering a profound meditation on the constraints of society and personal freedom.

Female Gaze, Forbidden Love, Artistic Expression, Isolation, Emotional Intimacy, Character Dynamics, Gender Differences, Finding Identity, Moralambiguity, Art House, Relationship Growth