Pride Month is officially taking over on We Drink & We Watch Things! For the entire month of June, we are celebrating LGBT representation in cinema by breaking it down by the letters: one lesbian-focused masterpiece, one classic gay comedy, one iconic bisexual drama, and one legendary transgender anthem.
To kick off the month, we are diving into our lesbian-focused selection: Céline Sciamma’s breathtaking 2019 romance, Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Set fire to a glass of Mackenzie's The Canvas & the Flame as we head to an isolated island in 18th-century Brittany, where every glance is loaded with tension.
This week, we bask in the incredible chemistry between Noémie Merlant and Adèle Haenel, analyzing how Sciamma constructs the "female gaze" to create a romance that is intensely passionate without ever feeling exploitative. We break down the film’s stunning, painterly cinematography, the complete lack of a traditional musical score (which makes the rare moments of music absolutely explosive), and the devastatingly perfect use of Vivaldi’s Four Seasons in the final frame. We also talk through the heartbreaking reality of their temporary freedom and why this film stands as a modern masterpiece of queer cinema.
If you love romances that burn slowly but deeply, or if you just want to hear us rave about a film where a single look can break your heart, this is the episode for you. We’re blending our deep appreciation for this visual triumph with our usual casual banter, making this a beautiful and powerful launch for our Pride Month celebration.
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Interested in what we're watching off the pod? Check out Mackenzie or Lemar's Letterboxd!
