When Night Is Falling

Pascale Bussieres, a Quebecois actress makes her English- speaking debut, as Camille, a teacher at a Christian college that has never let loose.

She is crying in a laundromat after losing her dog, when she meets Petra (Rachael Crawford), a circus performer. Showing up at the circus to deliver laundry that Petra left behind, Camille enters a world of fantasy that she has never experienced.

Canadian film maker Patricia Rozema (Kit Kittredge: An American Girl) gives us a strangely surreal world in which freedom and change battles repression and conformity.

The film was given an NC-17 rating, ostensibly for the lesbian sex scenes, and this affected the ratings given by some reviewers, but the heterosexual scene with Camille's fiancée was much more graphic. The lesbian scenes are tastefully done in a soft focus and very beautiful.

Everyone dreams of running off to join the circus at one time or another. In this case, it is a metaphor for being who you truly are. It takes courage, and we wonder whether or not Camille possesses that courage.

A gloriously beautiful film with a marvelous love story.

I have fallen in love with this movie. Since I patiently waited til the price went down and bought the movie I have watched it almost everyday. This movie runs consistent on all levels from beginning to end. The screen images embrace me and pulls me in. The acting (need I say I love Pascale/ Camille)...the lilt in her voice, her facial expressions, subtle yet so enticing. Petra! what a wonderful counterpart. Perfect music that moves the film along.

Camille's open-mindedness, and strong self-esteem exudes in this film. When her new sexuality is awakened - she doesn't suppress and feel guilty (which easily could have been due to her strong Christian background). She meets it with some trepidation and yet she is an individual with her own mind and heart...and pushes thru the fear.

I just happen to find this movie in Blockbuster...this movie should be seen round the world.

A professor once tried to define what makes classic literature. Timeless quality and value, stilted language... Whatever the definition, this is it. The intrinsic love forming between two women against race, religion, and promise. The spark of love in unforgiving winds... flickering. Captured in the surreal fashion that is too close to reality.

I first rented this film 2 years ago & I am still renting it today when I go to the store. I have never seen love portrayed in such an open,honest,wanting & unsured of their feelings kind of way. It is presented in a way most of us feel when we fall in love for the first time or when we fall in love with someone that is not the norm according to society. Even to this day I am impress with the way Patricia Rozema show the characters in such an emotional way, that leaves the audience understanding why these two people fall in love. By the way Pascale Bussieres and Rachael Crawford were GREAT in this movie! After seeing this movie a viewer truly stops categorizing this movie(in a genre such as lesbian/gay, canadian film, etc)and see that showing a love story is the true purpose of this film.

Guys! Don't critize me too much!

Since accidentally buying this film a week ago, I've been watching it almost everyday. It is a very moving piece, incredibly romantic and beautifully shot. I have no expertise on movie direction but all credit goes to Patricia for her creativity. Apart from being incredibly gorgeous, the leading ladies gave a very moving performance, which intern moved me.