France, 1760. Marianne is commissioned to paint the wedding portrait of Héloïse, a young woman who has just left the convent. As the two women orbit one another, intimacy and attraction grow as they share Héloïse’s first moments of freedom. Héloïse’s portrait soon becomes a collaborative act of and testament to their love.

Winner of the Best Screenplay award at Cannes and one of the best reviewed films of the year, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE solidifies Céline Sciamma as one of the most exciting filmmakers working in the world today. Noémie and Adèle Haenel turn the subtle act of looking into a dangerous, engrossing thrill, crafting the most breathtaking and elegant performances of the year. With contemporary themes in period dress, PORTRAIT OF A LADY ON FIRE is one of the greatest love stories ever told.

REVIEWS

“Like a lost work of 18th-century literature, it is at once ardent and rigorous, passionate and philosophical.” – A.O. Scott, The New York Times

“The picture is thoughtful and intense, but you don’t walk away from it thinking you’ve just seen a “message movie.” It’s a great example of how a well-told story, with vivid characters, can seep right into your bones and keep you thinking for days afterward.” – Stephanie Zacharek, Time