‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ director on contradictions of filmmaking in France

Hosted by

Adèle Haenel and Noémie Merlant in "Portrait of a Lady on Fire." Photo courtesy of Neon.

Director Céline Sciamma's new film, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire,” is a passionate historical romance that won two awards at Cannes and praise from critics worldwide. But the reception in her native France was more subdued. She says part of the problem is that French critics say her lesbian love story defies the conventions of the typical love story told through a male gaze. Sciamma tells us about the contradictions of filmmaking in France -- a place that readily funds breakthrough women directors, but still celebrates Roman Polanski. 

Credits

Host:

Kim Masters

Producer:

Kaitlin Parker