The Sleeping Beauty (La Belle endormie)

• Director: Catherine Breillat
• Writer: Catherine Breillat, based on the story "La Belle au bois dormant" by Charles Perrault
• Cast: Carla Besainou, Julia Artamonov, Kérian Mayan, David Chauss
• Language: French
• Theatrical Release Date: September 14, 2010

Synopsis: Catherine Breillat’s bracing explorations of female mythologies find epic resonance in her latest film. "The Sleeping Beauty" sees the eminent filmmaker working at the height of her powers, something those fortunate enough to have seen her beguiling canon at TIFF Cinematheque this summer have already experienced.

Astonishing landscapes that circumnavigate the globe, and a dizzying mix of historical periods, provide a backdrop for the little girl at the film’s centre. Breillat’s cinematographic eye has rarely been expressed on such a large canvas or with such razor-sharp intent.

The beginning is pure fairytale and recalls her previous outing, "Blue Beard", in its simplicity and sense of foreboding. A young princess is the subject of a tug-of-war among witches, as each struggles to find the suitable antidote to a death sentence inculcated by an evil sister. The well-known story ensues and Breillat integrates into the narrative various worldwide mythologies about little girls in peril. The heroine finds her way back into civilization both through her dreams and through wilful projection. A particularly poignant chapter finds her ensconced in a conventional family, in love with an older boy and cared for by a loving adopted mother. Lest we forget, this is a Breillat film, so the happiness cannot last. The boy abandons the heroine and her quest to regain his love leads into scenes both real and imagined. These situations recall the more harrowing moments of Breillat’s legendary "À ma sœur!," and her early masterwork "Une vrai jeunne fille." Breillat also borrows bizarre tropes from other ancient tales, infusing the panoply of characters with albino rulers, dwarf station masters, gypsy bandits and enchanted animals.

Few filmmakers find such imaginative methods to explore such complex and difficult political terrain. Breillat is simply one of the most intriguing and surprising filmmakers working today and "The Sleeping Beauty" is a fascinating testament to her abilities. [Synopsis courtesy of Noah Cowan/Toronto International Film Festival]