# Portrait of a Lady on Fire

> 2019 film directed by Céline Sciamma

**Wikidata**: [Q63246568](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q63246568)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Portrait_of_a_Lady_on_Fire)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/portrait-of-a-lady-on-fire

## Summary
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a 2019 French historical drama film directed by Céline Sciamma. It explores themes of love, art, and female desire in 18th-century France, featuring a critically acclaimed performance by Adèle Haenel. The film has received numerous awards, including the European Film Award for Best Screenwriter and the Queer Palm at Cannes.

## Key Facts
- **Directed by**: Céline Sciamma (2019).  
- **Genres**: Historical film, drama film, romance film, LGBTQ-related film.  
- **Release dates**: May 19, 2019 (Cannes), October 31, 2019 (France), December 6, 2019 (UK), February 14, 2020 (US), February 28, 2020 (Germany).  
- **Country**: France.  
- **Starring**: Adèle Haenel.  
- **Awards**: European Film Award for Best Screenwriter (2019), Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year (2020), Queer Palm (2019).  
- **Alternate title**: *Portrait de la jeune fille en feu*.  
- **Website**: https://www.portraitmovie.com/.  

## FAQs
**Q: Who directed Portrait of a Lady on Fire?**  
A: The film was directed by Céline Sciamma, a French filmmaker known for her work on LGBTQ+ themes and female-centric narratives.  

**Q: What awards did the film win?**  
A: It won the European Film Award for Best Screenwriter (2019), the Queer Palm at Cannes (2019), and the Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year (2020).  

**Q: Is the film based on a true story?**  
A: While set in 18th-century France, the narrative is fictional, focusing on the relationship between a painter and her subject.  

**Q: What themes does the film explore?**  
A: It delves into love, art, female agency, and desire, framed within an LGBTQ+ context.  

**Q: When was the film released?**  
A: It premiered at Cannes on May 19, 2019, with subsequent releases in France (October 2019), the UK (December 2019), and the US (February 2020).  

## Why It Matters
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is significant for its lush, slow-burn portrayal of queer romance in a historical setting, challenging traditional period drama tropes. It highlights the intersection of art and intimacy, offering a feminist and LGBTQ+ perspective often absent in mainstream cinema. The film’s critical acclaim and awards underscore its role in advancing representation and artistic storytelling, resonating with audiences seeking nuanced explorations of identity and desire.

## Notable For
- **Awards**: Winner of the Queer Palm, European Film Award for Best Screenwriter, and Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year.  
- **Cultural Impact**: Celebrated for its feminist and LGBTQ+ themes, redefining historical narratives through a queer lens.  
- **Cinematography**: Praised for its use of natural light and composition, mirroring the protagonist’s artistic process.  
- **Performances**: Adèle Haenel’s portrayal of Marianne, the painter, garnered widespread critical acclaim.  
- **Director**: Céline Sciamma’s screenplay and direction were hailed for their subtlety and emotional depth.  

## Body

### Overview  
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is a 2019 French film directed by Céline Sciamma, set in 18th-century Brittany. The story follows Marianne, a young painter commissioned to create a wedding portrait of Héloïse, a reluctant aristocrat. As the two women spend time together, they develop a romantic connection, exploring themes of art, desire, and autonomy.  

### Release and Reception  
The film premiered at the 2019 Cannes Film Festival on May 19, 2019, and later released in France (October 31, 2019), the UK (December 6, 2019), and the US (February 14, 2020). It received critical acclaim for its cinematography, performances, and screenplay, earning a 98% Rotten Tomatoes score.  

### Genres and Themes  
Classified as a **historical film**, **drama film**, **romance film**, and **LGBTQ-related film**, it blends period aesthetics with modern sensibilities. The narrative emphasizes female agency, queer love, and the subversion of patriarchal norms, avoiding explicit content in favor of emotional and visual intensity.  

### Cast and Crew  
- **Director/Screenwriter**: Céline Sciamma, known for *Girlhood* (2014) and *Tomboy* (2011).  
- **Lead Actress**: Adèle Haenel, a French actor recognized for her roles in *The Unknown Girl* (2016) and *Reinhardt* (2017).  
- **Country**: Produced in France, reflecting the nation’s rich cinematic tradition of auteur-driven dramas.  

### Awards and Recognition  
- **European Film Award for Best Screenwriter** (2019): Awarded to Céline Sciamma for her screenplay.  
- **Queer Palm** (2019): Won at Cannes for its LGBTQ+ representation.  
- **Dorian Award for LGBTQ Film of the Year** (2020): Recognized by the U.S.-based Dorian Awards.  

### Cultural Impact  
The film has been praised for its contribution to LGBTQ+ cinema, offering a rare portrayal of queer intimacy in a historical context. Its success has sparked discussions about the need for diverse storytelling in period dramas, influencing subsequent films and media.  

### Technical Details  
- **Website**: https://www.portraitmovie.com/  
- **Alternate Title**: *Portrait de la jeune fille en feu* (French).  
- **Sitelink Count**: 41 (indicating its presence across 41 Wikimedia projects).  

### Historical Context  
While not a documentary, the film draws inspiration from 18th-century European art and social norms, particularly the limited roles available to women. The script juxtaposes historical constraints with universal emotions, creating a timeless narrative.  

### Legacy  
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is frequently cited as a landmark in LGBTQ+ cinema, celebrated in academic and critical circles for its artistic merit and thematic depth. Its influence extends to discussions on representation, consent, and the politics of gaze in film.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/Winners-2019.899.0.html)
2. IMDb
3. The Movie Database
4. Portrait of a Lady on Fire. Rotten Tomatoes
5. Terjesztésre kerülő filmalkotások és artfilmek nyilvántartása
6. [Source](http://nmhh.hu/dokumentum/198182/terjesztett_filmalkotasok_art_filmek_nyilvantartasa.xlsx)
7. PORT.hu
8. [10 Romantic films about forbidden love. 2021](https://www.readersdigest.co.uk/culture/film-tv/10-romantic-films-about-forbidden-love)
9. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/2019-Selections.901.0.html)
10. [Source](https://seventh-row.com/a-history-of-women-directors-at-the-cannes-film-festival/)
11. [Source](https://www.europeanfilmacademy.org/Nominations-2019.900.0.html)
12. [Source](https://www.eufa.org/en/news/2016/20190924_Five_Films_Nominated.php)
13. BBC Things
14. [Source](https://www.spio-fsk.de/asp/fskkarte.asp?pvid=602682)
15. [Box Office Mojo](https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt8613070/)
16. [Source](https://www.bbfc.co.uk/release/portrait-of-a-lady-on-fire-q29sbgvjdglvbjpwwc00otyyotm)
17. [Source](http://www.kijkwijzer.nl/index.php?id=26&i=1363212)
18. List of film licenses issued from 1945 to 2020
19. [Source](https://www.eirin.jp/list/index.php?s_year=2020&s_month=9&e_year=2020&e_month=9&pageID=2)
20. film distribution certificate
21. Cineplex
22. [Source](http://portal.mj.gov.br/ClassificacaoIndicativa/jsps/DadosObraForm.do?select_action=&tbobra_codigo=75451)
23. ClassInd database
24. [Source](https://sede.mcu.gob.es/webicaa/Ficheros/153419/34/153419/1/209.pdf)
25. [Source](http://cnc.abt.ro/registru/index.aspx?pageID=3&filmID=16318)
26. Bechdel Test Movie List
27. The Feminist Film Guide
28. Portrait of a Lady on Fire
29. [IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt8613070/fullcredits/)
30. [Source](https://www.rcq.gouv.qc.ca/RCQ212AfficherFicheTech.asp?intNoFilm=419917)
31. FilmVandaag.nl