UN drink, a torrid night in Marseille and three women overlooking a balcony: this would be enough to imagine a light comedy. But Women on the balcony – The Balconettes It is quite the opposite. The film directed and starring Noémie Merlant (Portrait of the young man on fire, Tár), written with the director Céline Sciamama, It is a mix of thriller, comedy and surrealwhich sinks the nails in the Gender violence and in sexism with the sharp lightness of Dark Comedy. After the debut at the 77th Cannes Film Festival and the Italian preview at the Rome Film Festival, the film will arrive In theaters from 20 March, Distributed by Officine Ubu.
Three women, one night, a lurking danger
The protagonists of this story are Nicole (Sanda Codreanu), a shy and dreamer writer; Ruby (Souheila Yacoub), rebellious and independent camgirl; Élise (Noémie Merlant)fragile and anxious actress. Three friends united by a deep bond, who share an apartment and an insatiable desire for freedom. One evening, theirs fascinating nearby (Lucas Bravothe beautiful Gabriel of Emily in Paris) invites them for a drink. But the meeting takes an unexpected turn, transforming the evening into a crazy race to save and overturn the game.
Women on the balconymix of genres between drama and bitter laughter
Merlant builds an explosive film, where emotional intensity mixes with the more fierce irony. “I wanted a mix of shapes and genres” said the director, “a free and exuberant film that preserved humor, a certain poetry and strong themes”. AND In fact, between bright tones, pressing rhythm and a direction that oscillates between pop and noir, Women on the balcony It moves on a thin line between the drama and the bitter laugh.
Satire and denunciation: the strength of the dark comedy
The film courageously faces the Theme of violence against womenbut without giving up an innovative language. “The abuses that the characters suffer, I suffered them too,” said Noémie Merlant. “Film them with humor was the only way to represent them and take distance from those moments.” A risky operation, which however works: satire becomes a powerful weapon, capable of making people laugh and reflect at the same time.
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