A long weekend brings four women together in the countryside. Virtual strangers, the women are forced to navigate the depths of social interaction. On the surface all seems placid. But the atmosphere of calm is a facade.
France
Cannes Film Festival
USANR
France
USA
I’m a firm believer in that cinema shouldn’t always spoon-feed our imaginations, which would explain my resistance towards certain genres that push the boundaries of reality. That’s not to say I don’t enjoy a good dose of escapism every now and then, but sometimes, I just crave something more challenging; something that serves no purpose to entertain, but to catch me off guard or throw me off balance. Whether I enjoy it or not is beside the point.
We all know there is a fine line between entertainment and art, but the deeper I immerse myself within the world of independent filmmaking, the more I start to realise that mainstream cinema has conditioned me to think a certain way and…
The unknowable qualities of this indie darling are perfectly accented by the fact that the plot is set during a long weekend trip. The motivations and intentions of the characters are never so much as hinted at and instead beautifully diffuse through the performances of Chloë Sevigny, Jena Malone, Leelee Sobieski & co., a casting decision that adds unparalleled mystique and sensibility.
Nothing really happens here and yet this low budget film haunts me ever since I've seen it first a few years ago. Maybe it's the dense atmosphere of late summer days and the closely observed photography, maybe it's the interactions between the girls, that feel really organic and natural. Maybe I'm drawn to it, because I've always wanted to spend a weekend at a secluded house with a few other girls, drink wine, play dress up and go ghost hunting.
It doesn't really matter what exactly it is, I just always find myself coming back to it.
It was gorgeous, but it was missing a piece. Something about it was beyond the imagination. Either give the audience no narrative or the right amount. This was 25% narrative and 75% wtf
Slow-paced film about a girl that invites some newly acquainted friends to her home and re-invents herself through the lies she tells them. This features a "slice of life" rather than an actually story but it is quite beautiful to watch.
Surprisingly solid and haunting af. Visually generous, cottage core TW but it’s 2006 so who cares. This is a lil poem, don’t watch if you want a novel. Also once again casting got me, I’m a simple bitch who enjoys the criminally underused jena malone and leelee Sobieski...sue me!!!
I saw this well over ten years ago, only once, but I think of it often. weird and worth it, like if Sofia Coppola actually gave a fuck
GET THE DVD... ITS WORTH IT.
thank you for this wonderful gift alex
I get that this movie isn't for everyone. But it was most definitely for me. Great acting, beautiful scenery, unique storyline... I am a huge fan of M. Blash's work.
Chloe Sevigny + Leelee Sobieski + Jena Malone = Heaven! 😍❤️😍❤️😍❤️
I want to hang out with these five beautiful women, and have a sleepover with them.
And they're all barefoot for most of this movie! This director definitely likes feet.
Chloe's performance in this is really damn good. Her subtleties get across what is really going on inside this character.
And as a Chloe fan, she is so endearing and lovable throughout most of this. Her smile is so soft and comforting. It made me want to just hang out with her. It made me think the warmest and happiest place in the world would be to snuggle up with her and take a nap.
Or even just go for a walk together. Who says no to that!?
I underestimated this film, the first time I saw it. I was able to appreciate it a lot more, now.
I ❤️ Chloe Sevigny
Goodwill dvd find, very tumblr coded. Mara Hoffman cameo.
Mostly confusing and meaningless. M. Blash apparently wrote the script in like 2 days and production lasted two weeks. Chloe described it as utter chaos and a mess of a movie.
I knew nothing of this the first time I saw it about 10 years ago and it's somehow stuck with me for reasons I still don't quite understand. The most I can say w/r/t my enjoyment is that it reminds me very much of every post-grad art school community I've ever encountered. This is exactly how all those people behave.
I've been watching a lot of horror recently and forgot how horrifying these sorts of films can be in contrast. An uncomfortable hazy fever dream. A meditation on toxic relationships. The Beguiled meets Blair Witch with The Virgin Suicides gaze and touches of a Vogue photoshoot. Gives you the feeling that either nothing will happen or something bad. But nothing good can come of this.
And that cast? It's literally like a gathering of some of the most overlooked/underrated female talent of our generation.
