A Woman’s Life

Surgeon, partner, lover. Daughter, sister, carer, boss. Friend, idol. A woman has many roles and many responsibilities, at least if she is Gabrielle (Léa Drucker), the protagonist of Charline Bourgeois-Tacquet’s exhilarating new film A Woman’s Life. As its title suggests, the film opens up one woman’s life at a particular moment in time.

Bourgeois-Tacquet’s latest film is a French drama built around talking, meeting and touching. The characters emerge through their interactions, and who they are is revealed in what is said. There is nudity at times, and often a lot of complicated emotion. Within a single scene, shades can flicker from affection to annoyance, and from desire to disturbing behaviour. The full spectrum of life and human reactions is ever present.

It is relationships, above all, that make up both this film and Gabrielle, with all her flaws and strengths. With each encounter, an uncompromising woman gradually emerges, one who demands a great deal both of herself and of others. Responsibilities accumulate on her shoulders, but does she take them on herself, or are they placed there by others? Is there a right way for her to live, or should she do things differently? Each supporting character offers their own perspective on Gabrielle. As in life, in this film too it’s how we treat others that reveals the most about who we are.

Susanna Puomio (translated by Mira Liimatainen)