Brodeuses

I watched "embrodeuse" yesterday and today again with my wife as I recorded the TV broadcast. It was not like watching a movie, it was like being part of an event. And that event had drama, beauty, emotions all wrapped up in a slow paced almost real time short journey. A little like being in a sailing boat on a breezy but serene day and at nature's mercy and whim . There was no pretension, no excess (pas d'etat d'ame) Just characters going about their torments and eventually helping each other's. Yes it was slow, I understand in our busy generation it's not always appreciable to take time, there is so much to do! But those who can live with a slower pace will be rewarded. It is a simple and wonderful story unfolding in a postcard rural setting but once I have known such a place so I know it's real. Thank you to the person who reminded us that this is the grown up actress from "Monsieur Ibrahim..." I only watched a week ago but did not associate with as I was transported in another era. Some have mentioned "The Girl with a pearl earing" I have seen too but will need to access my memory bank for refresher...My dysfunctional brain does not have much regards for producers, unknown actors and other important people who make such work so enjoyable either. I won't apologise for it but non the less I appreciated it very much but in my own way, so did my wife and I hope you do too.

Claire is a young girl who got pregnant. She didn't want to abort the baby and didn't want her boyfriend to pay his responsibility. Instead, she quit her current job at a local supermarket and went to work for Mrs. Melikian, as her embroidery assistant. Mrs. Melikian just lost his only son from a motorcycle accident.

Claire showed her willingness in taking her duties, as well as taking over Mrs. Melikian's private order when she was treated in the hospital (Mrs. Melikian tried to suicide, feeling lost without his son).

I found this movie was a bit boring, as not many conflict arisen during the almost 1.5 hour running time. The Claire character wasn't convincing as a pregnant young woman, whose trying to prove that she'll carry the burden alone. However, the character Mrs. Melikian was superb.

This is the kind of film that gives 'Art House' a good name. Given the title and style it compares favorably with La Dentelliere and that is praise indeed. The story is simplicity itself; a young supermarket worker, Claire Moutiers (Lola Naymark) with a passion for embroidery and a life that is going nowhere becomes pregnant almost in passing. Having no real attachment to the father she has to decide how to deal with the situation. Her first move is to approach a local embroiderer, Madame Melikian (Ariane Ascaride) for a job. M. Melikian has her own problems; her son has recently died in a road accident and by chance, his friend Guillaume (Thomas Laroppe) who survived the tragedy albeit at the expense of a badly scarred face, is the brother of Claire's friend Lucile. Soon after starting her new job Claire finds M Melikian comatose in the wake of a suicide attempt and alerts the authorities. From then on the film becomes a story of friendship, trust, healing and love. I doubt if there is a speech longer than two sentences from beginning to end, instead there are stunningly simple visuals like Clair cutting cabbages (in French 'cabbage' is an endearment as in ma petite chou) or Madame Melikian's hand touching that of Guillaume when Claire brings them face to face. The film builds its effects the way the two leads assemble a tapestry, slowly, painstakingly, one stitch at a time. In a film where every performance is way above average the two leads stand out like twin beacons, one (Naymark) remarkable and one (Ascaride) magnificent. One of the finest films of the last few years.

Although few things happen, there are so many things to observe. This movie takes its time with much love for details. It's very slow and quite calm, like the life in the french province. This film doesn't try to criticize social issues. It doesn't take a clear position but let the spectator find his own view. It shows a very individual side. Claire is so stubborn and proud, but beneath her layers of woolen cardigans, you can catch a glimpse of her sensitive and fearful interior. The sensibility in which the relationship between Claire and Mme Melikian is shown, is touching. Although the story of the young, pregnant girl without a future has been told several times, this one makes an exception and doesn't need the usual clichés As spectator you get the feeling to see very private moments, like a voyeur. A movie like this lets you forget that cinema is a mass media. In its stillness and sensibility it resembles a lot "The Girl with the Pearl Earring". Those who know the French film "M Ibrahim et les fleurs du Coran" may remember the little red haired neighbor girl. Well, it has grown up and you can see her as the pregnant Claire. A remarkable little jewel of film. Hopefully some people will discover its beauty.

"Brodeuses" (2004) aka "A Common Thread"- a first feature by Éléonore Faucher is a simple, moving and beautiful film about two unhappy and lonely women, a pregnant unmarried teenager Claire and Madame Mélikian (Ascaride), an older woman grieving over the death of her only son in a motorcycle accident. Claire becomes an assistant for Madam Melikian, an embroiderer for haute couture Parisian designers. Slowly, both women come to need and value each other; they form a close bond through their mutual love for embroidery. Their true friendship will be one of the reasons for Claire to make a very important decision about her future baby. Visually, the film is a work of an exceptional beauty. Almost unknown, it is as exquisite as "Girl with a Pearl Earring" - Lola Naymark (Claire) could've been easily a Vermeer's model with her face of rare charm that shines in every frame and her impossibly beautiful long red hair. Both Naymard and Ariane Ascaride (Madam Melikian) gave outstanding performances in the movie with no bad performances at all.