actor actress – Smaller Pictures

Anatomy of a Fall (2023)

One of the most exciting inclusions in the upcoming awards discussion is Anatomy of a Fall. Winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, the film follows novelist Sandra Voyter (Sandra Hüller) who is accused of murdering her husband, Samuel (Samuel Theis). Making use of the French Alps setting, Anatomy of a Fall is a film that perfectly balances open space with a claustrophobic feel.

Directed by Justine Triet who co-wrote the screenplay Arthur Harari, Anatomy of a Fall is captivating from beginning to end. Triet’s direction has a timeless quality, drawing inspiration from classic crime dramas with the use of close-ups. The surface plot regarding Samuel and his death serves as a door into Sandra’s character and her life. Triet’s triumph at Cannes is well-deserved, becoming the third woman to take home the Palme d’Or.

Sandra Hüller provides one of the best performances of the year as Sandra. The role was written with her in mind and this is made clear beyond the name. Hüller slips into the character of Sandra seamlessly, encapsulating every essence of her being. There is a wonderful subtle quality to the performance that leaves the audience unsure as to what she is thinking. It also cannot go unnoticed that Hüller also excels in another 2023 film in Jonathan Glazer’s The Zone of Interest. Both films received top prizes at Cannes (The Zone of Interest received the Grand Prix which is often regarded as second place) and this is thanks in large part to Hüller’s ability to really connect with her characters and provide layers and layers to her performances. The argument scene between Sandra and Samuel in particular is an acting masterclass and should earn Hüller nominations across the board with potential wins.

Swann Arlaud is fantastic as Sandra’s lawyer, Vincent. Anatomy of a Fall is undoubtedly Hüller’s film but the character of Vincent is essential as we learn so much about Sandra’s background through their conversations. Arlaud’s performance feels natural and serves as the audience’s way into understanding the mechanics of both the main plot and also learning more about Sandra and her struggles.

One of the standout performances in the film is Milo Machado Graner as Sandra and Samuel’s son, Daniel. Although his role is relatively small, he does a brilliant job, especially for a child actor. Like Sandra, Daniel keep his cards close to his chest. We see him vent his emotions through piano practice and sense his frustration and upset at the situation. It’s great to see Graner receive recognition for his wonderful performance.

The cinematography by Simon Beaufils is stunning in every setting. From the open landscapes to the chalet interior, Beauflis’ work captures seemingly idyllic and scenic images in a way that subverts these qualities and feels claustrophobic and uncomfortable. The use of natural light allows the vulnerability of the characters to shine through while the openness of the mountain range contrasted with the smallness of the chalet captures the overall mood of the film.

Overall, Anatomy of a Fall is a film that commands your attention. The writing is impeccable and Hüller leaves you hanging on every word. If only France had submitted this film for the Academy Awards it would have been the frontrunner. However, it would be a surprise not to see Anatomy of a Fall included in some major categories on nomination day, especially for Sandra Hüller’a magnificent performance.

What did you think of Anatomy of a Fall? Let me know in the comments below!

BFI Flare Festival 2021: My First Summer

One of the films I have even excited to view was Katie Found’s directorial debut, My First Summer. The film follows Claudia (Markella Kavenagh), who is grieving after her mother drowned herself and Grace (Maiah Stewardson), a girl who lives nearby who saved Claudia from drowning with her mum. Claudia has lived a life in seclusion due to her mum’s negative outlook on the world and Grace’s entry into her life opens Claudia’s eyes and makes her see the beauty in life. With polar opposite personalities, the differences between the girls is what draws them together and ignites a romance. As the title suggests, this film doesn’t span a long period of time but the beautiful slow burning pace allows us to become familiarised with the characters. Delving into topics of loss and grief and contrasting this with the promises of hope and love that is found, Found explores a wide range of emotions and the internal and external conflicts that they can inspire.

Written and directed by Found, My First Summer makes the most from its limited location. Using Claudia’s house and the surrounding woodland primarily, there seems to be a lot of freedom in the amount of space and yet Claudia is trapped and disconnected from society because of how secluded it is. Found’s direction is beautiful and makes the most of the summery weather, allowing those bright colours and the warm tones contrasting with the topics of loss and grief. Considering the short running time of 90 minutes, Found does a great job with her screenplay as we really get to know Claudia and Grace and get an understanding of their points of view. It’s a film that doesn’t rely on being big and bold to get its point across and allows the two protagonists to become fully realised in a way that feels real and natural.

Markella Kavenagh’s performance is heartbreaking as Claudia has to deal with both the loss of her mum and the realities of the world outside. Having to hide from the police who would take her away due to her age, Claudia is initially alone and dealing with her grief with her dog by her side. Compared to Grace, Claudia is introverted and is academically intelligent without actually knowing how to properly communicate with people. Despite the natural world around her, the rooms in her house are undecorated and muted colours to reflect the fact that she is a blank canvas waiting to start her life. Kavenagh’s performance is quietly strong, when put against Stewardson who is the extroverted Grace, we see Claudia come out of her shell and grow into herself. A remarkable leading performance that is layered and nuanced.

The second lead in My First Summer is Maiah Stewardson who plays Grace perfectly. Outspoken and extroverted, Grace knows what she wants to get out of life. Suffering from her own experience of entrapment by her neglectful mother and step-father, Grace finds her own safety net with Claudia. After saving Claudia’s life, Grace acts as a guardian for her and helps keep her hidden from the police. Stewardson is captivating as Grace and makes the perfect onscreen partner for Kavenagh and the two have a chemistry that works organically and naturally. The slow burning nature of the relationship doesn’t feel rushed even though the film itself spans a short amount of time. Stewardson’s performance is tinged with maturity and naivety at the same time, reflecting the reality that these two girls are only 16 and haven’t had a lot of life experience.

Overall, My First Summer was even better than I had expected and left me speechless at its ending. The screenplay has a wonderful, steady pace and the girls are perfectly cast. I am very excited to see where Found, Kavenagh and Stewardson’s careers take them as this film is a very promising start and shows a great future for them. Showing the world through the eyes of a 16 year old who may not understand everything helps to create a film that feels grounded in its own universe and Found has captured this flawlessly. This film is not to be missed.

My First Summer is showing at BFI Flare Festival.