(AFP) The dark side of female sexuality has been unveiled at the Cannes Film Festival in a film about a woman who seduced a schoolboy and built a picture-perfect life after a tabloid scandal.
“May December,” starring Julianne Moore and Natalie Portman, captivates viewers with the sight of a married couple living a seemingly happy life with their children in the suburbs despite being registered as sex offenders. A rollercoaster of ethical ambiguity.
Portman plays an actor spending time with his family as he prepares to play Moore’s scandalous centerpiece.
Her arrival opens up buried wounds and prompts Portman’s character to make questionable decisions.
The 41-year-old star told AFP that she loves seeing women “acting morally ambiguous”.
“All human behavior should be accessible to women because women are mere humans,” Portman said.
“It always drives me crazy when people think that the world would be a better place if only women ruled it. I am holding it.”
Reviews were generally positive, with IndieWire enjoying “hugely spooky drama” and The Telegraph calling it “a thrilling psychological tennis game”.
“May December” is the frontrunner for the awards next Saturday night at Cannes.
In 2015, when Carol, the groundbreaking lesbian romance starring Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara, failed to win the Palme d’Or, many felt that director Todd Haynes was stripped of his credit. Mara won an acting award).
Haynes said he misses the days when movies made it easy to “ask and discuss morality.”
“It’s getting harder and harder to make these kinds of films,” he told AFP, because society is no longer “happy to be offensive.” I think it is the death of thought, the death of social criticism and criticism. “
repressed desire
Portman rose to stardom at the age of 12 with French director Luc Besson’s film “Leon,” which led to him being sexualized at an early age, and now has mixed feelings about it. He says he’s holding
The film was inspired by Besson’s relationship with French actress and film director Maiwen, whom he married at age 16, who starred in and directed Jeanne du Barry alongside Johnny Depp. and caused a scandal when it was unveiled at Cannes earlier this year.
Besson, who directed “The Fifth Element,” faces multiple rape allegations, which Portman said were “shocking” but did not elaborate.
‘May December’ is one of several films at Cannes this year that delve deeper into the inner workings of women.
“I think there’s no limit to what you can explore, so I’d love to see more,” Portman said.
Haynes said the film explored our refusal to see ourselves honestly.
“We repress many of our desires for the best reasons. Civilized societies exist by enduring.”
