Is it possible to rewrite your life? The female protagonist of Justine Triet’s new film believes it is possible. Whether she can manage not to lose herself find out in the thriller Sibyl nominated for the Palme d’Or since July 18. Sibyl is a perfect example of a combination of a beautiful festival picture and truly viewer’s film. You can watch the French film as part of the Listapad: Collections project until July 21 at the Centralny, until July 24 at the Raketa and until July 31 at the Falcon Club Cinema Boutique.
Sibyl is an experienced and successful female psychotherapist who wants to give up her practice in order to fulfill a long-standing desire to write a book. At a time when she will need inspiration so much, young actress Margot looking for help and support will be next to her. Sibyl, fascinated by the new patient, will get deeper immersed in someone else’s story, without noticing how her own life will turn upside down.
Sibyl is the third film in which Justine Triet explores female nature. Her first feature film Age of Panic was nominated for the César Award for the “Best Debut”. The second one – a life comedy about a modern woman In Bed with Victoria – has twice been nominated for the César in the categories Best Film and Best Screenplay. The new film Sibyl was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the 72nd Cannes Film Festival.
Director Justine Triet notes that she was strongly influenced by Woody Allen’s work: “I take inspiration from research, from films, and no doubt a little bit from myself, but I’m not Sibyl. My co-writer Arthur Harari and I really had fun going deep into fiction… Woody Allen’s film Another Woman haunted me from the moment I started writing. Oddly, I don’t love that film, but its main narrative fascinates me: a woman seeking calm and inspiration is confronted with another woman, who plunges her into a dizzying abyss. That film was my initial reference”.
The main film roles were played by the big festival film stars: Virginie Efira and Adèle Exarchopoulos (Blue Is the Warmest Colour), the youngest winner of the Palme d’Or. Gaspard Ulliel, one of the most famous French contemporary actors, also starred in the film. He gained international fame after playing one of the main roles in Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s detective drama A Very Long Engagement and young Hannibal Lecter in Peter Webber’s Hannibal Rising.
Film critics noted Triet’s powerful directing work: “Justine Triet handles the material gracefully and skillfully, directing star Virginie Efira to one of her most impressive performances to date” (the Hollywood Reporter), “The film in the film referring us to Woody Allen’s diversity… No doubt, Adèle Exarchopoulos’ energy deserves praise” (Indiewire, the quote is not presice), “Sibyl is a witty, slinky psychodrama with just enough on its mind” (Variety).