It's been more than a month since my last post. This is extremely embarrassing for me. I think as each week went by, it became harder and harder for me to post. It's not without reasons/excuses though. I'm currently taking a course so that I can teach up to grade 10 (I'm only certified to teach grades 1-6), and I just recently put together an application for the Toronto International Film Festival. I applied for a very cool job that I probably won't get, but I enjoyed writing for it, regardless. I had to write a review on a Canadian film, so I thought I would share it with you.
Don't Let Me Lie Misunderstood
Sex.
From a women’s point of view.
Even before Clement Virgo’s Lie With Me premiered at the 2005 Toronto International Film Festival, there was controversy regarding the film and it’s portrayal of sex. Some were calling it pornography. To many spectators, the film is nothing g but a boy-meets-girls flick with several sex scenes.
I believe the film is misunderstood. There is so much more going on in Lie With Me. More than just sex, Lie With Me is about Leila (played by Lauren Lee Smith) and her desires, her inner thoughts narrated through voice-over, and her point of view. The audience is aligned with Leila in the opening shot of the film; the camera holds a close up on her eye and pans out. Virgo offers several close-ups to keep the whole film in Leila’s space. The sex between Leila and her boyfriend, David (Eric Balfour), is not objective and the cinematography does not make use of typical pornographic techniques (exploitative angles, “money shots”, etc).
Leila is a twenty-something in need of love. Her parents are divorcing, and selling her childhood home. However, it is clear that Leila’s angst precedes the film’s narrative. David’s family is less than perfect as well. He takes care of his elderly father, and there is no mother to be found. Leila and David’s relationship is based on sex, thus it inevitably falls to pieces. The remainder of Lie With Me has the young couple figuring out if they are in love, or lust. At times, the film lacks narrative and Virgo fills in the gaps by dragging out scenes and manipulated shots.
The setting of this sexually charged story is in the city of Toronto, which is so central to the film; the city seemingly plays a leading role. From Queen Street West, to parks in the Annex, to the Beaches – David and Leila cover some of Toronto’s most loved destinations. The film is pleasantly saturated and grainy to capture the vestiges of the Torontonian summer, which is warm and inviting. In shots of Queen Street, the Annex, and the Beaches, Virgo allows the spectator to infer information about the characters and their relationships with several artistic and captivating shots and long takes. For example, a close-up of Leila’s neck and mouth lasts for half a minute, and all we hear is her deep breathing as she stares at her lover. Virgo invites the spectator to understand Leila as vulnerable and delicate as her character unfolds visually, rather than the narrative demanding it of her. Leila’s voice-overs are deeply personal, and deeply female, much like the film itself.
Overall, Lie With Me is an honest portrayal of love found within the complications of sex and – well, the city. Our city.
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If you've seen the film, perhaps you'd like to share your thoughts with me?
I'll top it off with a music video, and promise to write more by Wednesday.Massive Attack just put out a new record, Heligoland. It's fabulous, and this song, entitled "Paradise Circus" includes vocals from the lovely Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star fame. The song is just as sexy as Lie With Me, so I figure it appropriate. Enjoy!
xox
Lianne Spiderbaby