Le ricamatrici

Here in Argentina this film goes by the title "La trama de la vida" (The weft of life), the french title could be translated in English as "The (women) embroiderers" (nouns in French have gender) Lovely film. Nice music composed by Michael Galasso (sounds like Arvo Pärt). Claire debates herself between giving her child in adoption or keeping it. The film builds up, step by step. Claire works in a supermarket but that's not what she wants to do in life, she wants to be an embroiderer. Being pregnant, being a teenager, living in a provincial town she must "take up arms against a sea of troubles". A brave and loving girl with determination. In this quest she also finds love.

"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.

Every so often a film comes along which qualitatively surpasses the overwhelming number of movies available. BRODEUSES is one which requires a super classification. It contains elements which I deem essential for films of merit: superior writing, exemplary direction, abundant understatement, good use of color, effective use of facial expressions and eye movement, and suspense in the form of an omnipresent question. The writing is to the point, and mindless chatter which one finds in so many film productions is non-existent in this one. What needs to be said, is said, no more or no less. Economy of dialogue is a virtue. The camera angles resulting from the direction draw the viewer into the scenes. I find myself wanting to keep Claire from falling of her scooter, or from sliding off the side of the mountain when harvesting cabbages. The understatement insures that there are no screaming parents, pouting children, or meddling yentas. Claire's plight becomes more obvious as the months past, yet no one judges or indictes. All seem to understand and to accept, and, except for and occasional facial expression or eye movement, no one reacts. However, it in the use of color that his film excels. Claire's red hair and her green coat are obviously complementary, and the embriodery is spectacular. The are dozens of other examples. And the unanswered question? There is more that one question left unresolved, and that is as it should be. This film is going on my "view often" list, if for no other reason than to reinforce my need for good art.

Yesterday night I've see this film and I would do all the best for the director, because I found a film very deep and intense. For the first time after a lot of time I found a film with a history full of love for life and and for a sense of live.

These actors are wonderful and the female protagonist is very very professional.

But, above all I found that the director Éléonore Faucher have done a very good history full of intensity and emotional sentiment.

Life and death in 85 minutes..

Bravo Éléonore

Marco

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.