The Rafael Azcona Film Library opens the month of June by bringing to its screen the first of the several films assigned to the ‘Unreleased Premiere’ cycle and opening program of the French production ‘Rosalie’ (2023) by director Stéphanie Di Gusto. A piece about … tolerance and against prejudices that can be seen starting at 7:30 p.m. in the Gonzalo de Berceo room.
It is surprising that a feature film with attractive potential that tells the story of a woman who suffers from the annoying phenomenon of hirsutism, that is, excessive hair growth, did not attract the attention of fans. This work was at the Cannes festival, in the ‘A Certain Regard’ section, it was presented in Spain at the San Sebastián competition and just a few weeks ago it hit the commercial billboards without the echo it deserves.
The action of the plot takes place in 1870, in a French rural area, around a small town whose majority of citizens work in a local company dominated with a severe hand by the chief Barcelin (Benjamin Biolay). The epicenter of this rustic drama centers on the character of Rosalie (Nadie Tereszkiewicz), a woman victimized by her sideshow appearance.
She is a stigmatized bearded girl. Her father manages to arrange her marriage with the owner of a tavern, Abel (Benoît Magimel), who agrees to the deal without knowing her secret in exchange for her dowry to alleviate her debts.
The figure of Rosalie represents the pride of a young woman for breaking the barriers of scruples, putting an end to malice and fighting for her integration. Repulsed by a society that is unforgiving of rarity, the woman will find in Abel’s hidden sensitivity the affection that every woman needs. She will show herself as she is to others, generating curiosity and wonder.
Small steps to free yourself from the monster label, make your bodily disorder visible without shame and naturally seek the appreciation and trust of your neighbors. Rosalie is more than a story about being different. She is a feminist statement.
#Argentina
