The film Rosalie, directed by Stéphanie Di Giusto and presented in Official Competition in the Un Certain Regard category at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in spring 2023, is expected in cinemas from April 10, 2024. The film tells the touching story of a young woman with a marked difference, played by actress Nadia Tereszkiewicz.
Set in France in 1870, the film follows Rosalie, a young woman whose face and body have been entirely covered in hair since birth. Despite her difference, she refuses to become a mere freak and decides to live a hidden life, shaving regularly. Everything changes when she meets and marries Abel, an indebted café owner played by Benoit Magimel. Abel knows nothing of Rosalie's secret and marries her for her dowry. However, Rosalie wants to be accepted as a woman and decides to stop hiding her difference. Will Abel be able to love her despite the truth?
The screenplay for Rosalie was co-written by Sandrine Le Coustumer and Stéphanie Di Giusto, with the collaboration of Jacques Fieschi. The film's cast also includes such talented actors as Guillaume Gouix, Anna Biolay, Benjamin Biolay and even singer Juliette Armanet.
Our opinion of Rosalie:
At the heart of this historical drama is the young Rosalie, played with magnetic intensity by Nadia Tereszkiewicz, whose performance is complemented by the equally nuanced Benoît Magimel. Stéphanie Di Gusto explores Rosalie's quest for love and acceptance in rural France in the 1870s, an emotional journey made vibrant by a captivating symphonic score.
The film excels in its ability to immerse the viewer in the era it depicts, thanks to a meticulous aesthetic that captures the raw beauty of nature and the complexity of the human condition. The music, especially the violins, guides the viewer's emotions through Rosalie's joys and sorrows with poignant precision.
Rosalie 's story revolves around the universal desire to be loved for who you are. The complex relationship between Rosalie and her husband, oscillating between love, shame and acceptance, serves as a red thread running through the story, illustrating the challenges inherent in the quest for authenticity in a world steeped in prejudice. The film subtly addresses the stigma of war and the existential loneliness of the various characters.
Despite its many qualities, the narrative suffers at times from a lack of dynamism, getting bogged down in the repetitiveness of the central conflict around Rosalie's beard. Although rich in symbolism, this choice of script struggles to maintain interest throughout the film. However, the themes of fertility, unconventional love and the ambivalent character played by Benjamin Biolay add interesting nuances to the story, partly compensating for the film's length.
Rosalie will appeal to those who appreciate deep historical dramas, endowed with visual and emotional richness. Fans of complex love stories and tales of self-acceptance will find much to like here. On the other hand, those in search of a dynamic, no-holds-barred narrative may be less captivated.
Despite the feeling that the story is going in circles, Rosalie stands out for the power of its characters, its aesthetic beauty, and its moving exploration of the themes of love and acceptance.
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