Madame is an engaging, inventive, and emotionally powerful account of the relationship between Caroline, a flamboyant 90-year-old grandmother, and her gay filmmaker grandson Stéphane as they engage in an intimate conversation that takes place across time and space. Based on personal archive footage, the resulting dialogue between a straight single woman in the early 20th century and a closeted gay man at the turn of the 21st century, explores issues of gender, sexuality and the transmission of identity in a patriarchal environment. The result is a moving and highly engaging family saga that challenges the taboos of gender and sexuality. Although clearly a documentary, Madame’s intimacy gives it the emotional power of a strong dramatic feature.
Madame
A grandmother and her grandson engage in an intimate conversation, exploring gender, sexuality and transmission of identity.
Availability &
Screening Time:
500 tickets
Mon 24 Aug / 2pm (watch for Swiss Masterclass 25 Aug @ 2pm)
Wed 26 Aug / 9am
Wed 26 Aug / 9am
Director(s):
Stéphane Riethauser
Country:
Switzerland
Year:
2019
Running Time:
93 min
Language(s):
French with English Subtitles
Courtesy of Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa, Consulate General of Switzerland in Cape Town, Swiss Films
IN CONVERSATION with SWISS filmmaker Stéphane Riethauser took place on Mon 24 Aug @ 2pm. You can find the recording of it on our YouTube channel.
A progressive, feminist, humanist, deeply intimate film. A necessary film.
A little miracle. A movie that keeps opening up to the world, that welcomes everyone in his lap.
A movie that comes out of the beaten path and opens the minds.
