As a cinephile with a penchant for unconventional storytelling and a deep appreciation for the works of Black women, I am absolutely thrilled about the upcoming release of “The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire.” Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich’s debut feature film promises to be a thought-provoking journey into the life of a fascinating figure, Suzanne Césaire, while deconstructing the very genre it belongs to – the biopic.
The Cinema Guild, a distributor based in New York that specializes in world cinema, has secured the rights to distribute ‘The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire’ in North America. This is the debut feature film by artist and director Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich.
The movie is labeled as a post-biographical drama focusing on Caribbean surrealist Suzanne Césaire, exploring the intricate process of transforming real-life events into cinema. It delves into Suzanne’s personal relationships, particularly with her husband, French politician Aimé Césaire, and renowned surrealist André Breton. Set in South Florida, this film predominantly unfolds within the confines of the film set itself, where a tight-knit ensemble of actors and crew grapple with Suzanne’s historical background, reenact scenes from her life, and strive to understand her complex existence.
Cinema Guild explains that the movie is modeled after Césaire’s unique writing style, which frequently dismantles colonial narratives. It does this by challenging the traditional biographical film genre, seamlessly transitioning between standard cinematic sequences and avant-garde, deconstructive scenes.
Next year, I’m thrilled to share that the company is planning to unveil this upcoming movie in cinemas nationwide, using a traditional 35mm film format for a special, old-school screening tour.
Featuring Zita Hanrot, Motell Gyn Foster, and Josué Gutierrez, who have each won a César Award, The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire showcases music by Sabine McCalla. This film first appeared at the International Film Festival Rotterdam this year, and has since been screened at various events such as FIDMarseille, the Toronto International Film Festival, the New York Film Festival, the BFI London Film Festival, the Viennale.
In a recent conversation with THR, Hunt-Ehrlich expressed that “surrealism serves as a break in predictability,” revealing her preference for stunning viewers with her films and their unique structures. She ponders, “How can you provoke that sudden shock or that burst of energy where the result is not what one anticipates, but something extraordinary unfolds instead?
Cinema Guild president Peter Kelly finds Madeleine Hunt-Ehrlich’s cinematic voice fresh and intriguing. Her debut feature is intelligent, visually appealing, and certain to spark conversations among viewers. We eagerly anticipate introducing this film to audiences,” said Kelly.
Hunt-Ehrlich responded by expressing her delight at collaborating with Cinema Guild: “I’m thrilled to be working with them on The Ballad of Suzanne Césaire. It’s a privilege to have them distribute the film and to join the ranks of the talented artists and filmmakers they support.
Upcoming movies from Cinema Guild feature “A Traveler’s Needs, By the Stream” directed by Hong Sangsoo, “You Burn Me” by Matías Piñeiro, and a 4K restoration of João César Monteiro’s film collection. Previous releases include “Matt and Mara” by Kazik Radwanski and a 4K version of Shinji Somai’s movie “Moving”.
Hunt-Ehrlich’s films delve into the intimate spheres of African American women. Her creations have graced screens at prestigious events such as the Berlin International Film Festival (Berlinale), Venice Biennale, Guggenheim Museum, Tate Modern, and Whitney Museum of Art.
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2024-10-21 21:24