To me film festivals are about independent cinema — a place where you get the opportunity to discover new work and new talent.
Kelly Reichardt is a brilliant American woman director who has battled long and hard to stay true to her craft. She is often accused of having a pace in her movies that is best defined as slow. In fact, one reviewer went so far as to call it “arid”. But, there are those that feel that she is one of the few extremely talented directors who understand that cinema can be an understated experience.
To me, her work is about the subtle nuances of everyday life that change and impact people. Those sum of moments that form our personalities and shade our decisions. Certain Women is all of that and then some more. A triptych of stories by American fiction writer Maile Meloy, loosely linked by the geography of Montana and infidelity, the movie is a quiet study in feminism.
This is especially true of the first piece featuring the excellent Laura Dern as ‘Laura’, who is also the most structured character in the entire feature. A lawyer frustrated by a client, who refuses to see reason and finally does so when talked to by a male lawyer. You can feel the pity and empathy settle into a kind of resigned fury. Perhaps a parallel with Reichardt’s moviemaking travails?
The second segment featuring Michelle Williams as a wife intent on getting some ancient sandstone for a new home is less intense but that is more than made up for by the last one with Kristen Stewart. This story brings an almost eerie quality to the haunting loneliness of a female groom, desperate for company played with delicate precision by Lily Gladstone. She is definitely an actress to look out for.
The whole movie is about want — everybody wants something, be it equality, love or respect. But, none of it is maudlin, humour surfaces at surprising turns.
There are only two shows of the movie — you can check out dubaifilmfest.com for details. But, if you cannot make it, I would urge you to try and catch it when it does get a wider release.
Certain Women does indie cinema proud.
Diff runs until December 14. For tickets and film screening schedules, go to diff.ae.
