Fruehling in Paris © MFA +
Frühling in Paris ( Seize Printemps , Spring Blossom ) *** France 2020 Opening May 20 , 2021
Directed by Suzanne Lindon Writing credits : Suzanne Lindon Principal actors : Suzanne Lindon , Arnaud Valois , Frédéric Pierrot , Florence Viala , Rebecca Marder
Sixteen-year-old Suzanne ( Suzanne Lindon ) lives with her parents and sister in Paris . She doesn ’ t connect with her classmates . They are boring ; their conversations in a favorite café are unappealing . Suzanne is “ tired of everything .” Her father is understanding . The text of a song which accompanies one scene tells it all : She is “ hanging around the square , wearing an impudent white shirt , waiting for something to happen .” Naturally , something “ happens .” In front of the theater on the way to school she meets Raphaël
( Arnaud Valois ), a 35-year-old actor . They “ connect ” and spend time together , also sitting in a café , or standing on an empty stage in his theater . They seem to agree on everything in their rare conversations , in an otherwise rather silent movie . Is this a serious love affair ? After all , she has exchanged the white shirt for a red sweater . Will she share her thoughts with her mother ?
Seize Printemps , entitled Spring Blossom in English and Frühling in Paris in German , is a slow silent film , with many close-up scenes of actors staring into space . No one even talks on a mobile phone , which is unusual these days . This leaves the viewer wondering , What ? Why ? Huh ? Although not a film for general entertainment , perhaps the viewer can identify with some of the situations . I recommend the film as an opportunity to experience Suzanne Lindon , the daughter of French actors Sandrine Kibertain and Vincent Lindon . At first glance , she does not come across as a film-star beauty , but still , she plays the leading role . Even more importantly , she wrote the script at age 15 and then directed the film at age 20 . Seize Printemps premiered in over nine film festivals , including Cannes , Toronto , San Sebastian , and , of course , Hamburg . ( Becky Tan )
Nomadland © Searchlight Pictures
Nomadland **** USA 2020 Opening April 8 , 2021
Directed by : Chloé Zhao Writing credits : Chloé Zhao , Jessica Bruder Principal actors : Frances McDormand , David Strathairn , Linda May highways and byways of the American West . New to the life of a nomad , Fern learns from old hands how to survive and thrive amid the vast landscapes and freedom of the open road . Finding a new purpose and sense of self , Fern soon realizes the most important elements of life are human connection and our memories , both new and those yet to come .
Frances McDormand delivers a stand-out mellow performance as Fern . Illustrating a very human existence , living on the road in her home — her van . Whether living a nomadic life on the road is an active choice or due to circumstance , it is thought-provoking . A key statement I took away , “ I am not homeless but houseless .” A home is what you make , not a house .
Fern ( Frances McDormand ) leaves her home for a life on the road after her town , Empire , a mining town near the Black Rock Desert , Nevada , is all but extinguished after the gypsum mine shuts down . With no reason to stay , even the zip code has been discontinued , Fern takes her most treasured possessions and memories , packs her van , and takes to the
This is a rich tale of modern-day nomads . The stars of this film are mostly true nomads such as Linda May and Swankie . Many of the women and men we met in the film are out there , on the road , making their journey and experiencing life their way .
54 In Hamburg