Colette (2018) opens discussions about abusive relationships and gender norms

“I was sitting with friends who weren’t in the industry, and there wasn’t one of us who hadn’t been assaulted.” Keira Knightley

by J. Richarz

After 15 years of work to get Colette financed, screenwriter Richard Glazer and director Walsh Westmoreland finally made it happen. The story of Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette who was a French novelist nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1948 is told by the marvelous Keira Knightley. The movie puts emphasis on the fight against abuse and same-gender love.

“You found me when I knew nothing,” her voice over continues, supplementing a montage of resistance against her abusive husband. “You molded me to your own desires. And you thought that I could never break free. Well, you’re wrong.” – Colette (Keira Knightley)

The movie deals with Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette (Keira Knightley) who marries the successful Parisian writer Henry Gauthier-Villars (Dominic West) who pushes her to write novels under his name. She then writes a semi-autobiography about a country girl named Claudine who ends up to be a sparking bestseller and cultural sensation. The success and treatment of her husband make her fight for her own rights, to make her talents known while challenging gender norms. This and the fights over creative ownership makes her overcome societal constraints, revolutionizing literature, fashion, and sexual expression.

Colette ends the trailer on a note of reclamation, finally becoming the author of her own story. “The hand that holds the pen writes history,” she says.

Abusive relationships, taking someone’s freedom of speech, harassment, same-gender love and more happened in 1948 and is still happening 70 years later in 2018. Screenwriter Richard Glazer and director Walsh Westmoreland seem to have found the best way of showing something so real and crucial in such an entertaining and inspiring way.
We are very much looking forward to seeing Keira Knightley in this movie.

Find the trailer below and make sure to find the time to watch this excellent movie!

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