despite the fact that the film caused a huge commotion in it's native country shocking the puritans, right wing bigots into a fury, Strella is not at all a shocking film.
It's not a "film by an oppressed director trying to glorify his sexuality" but rather, a bold statement about love, family and about "normal" not existing anymore (if it ever was).
The only shocking thing about it is how low key it is, creating a loving picture out of characters and a social milieu that has often been the subject of cinematic exploitation, or ridicule.
Coutras makes magic out of the simplest materials and his two main actors perform with astounding truth a story that can only be shocking or insulting to narrow minded, hateful people.
Nevertheless, the film does get a strong social, sexual, political point through, but it's not one of anger, or hate, but one of love and acceptance. and that unfortunately, is still too much for some to take...
It's not a "film by an oppressed director trying to glorify his sexuality" but rather, a bold statement about love, family and about "normal" not existing anymore (if it ever was).
The only shocking thing about it is how low key it is, creating a loving picture out of characters and a social milieu that has often been the subject of cinematic exploitation, or ridicule.
Coutras makes magic out of the simplest materials and his two main actors perform with astounding truth a story that can only be shocking or insulting to narrow minded, hateful people.
Nevertheless, the film does get a strong social, sexual, political point through, but it's not one of anger, or hate, but one of love and acceptance. and that unfortunately, is still too much for some to take...