“The Balconettes”, interview with director Noémie Merlant

June 4, 2024

Noémie Merlant: “I wanted to liberate these women in my film, letting them explore, even the fantastic”

“The Balconettes”, interview with director Noémie Merlant Chiara Nicoletti

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At the 77th Festival del Cannes, in the Official Selection, actress Noémie Merlant presents her second feature, “The Balconettes “(Les Femmes au Balcon), in which she also co-stars with Souheila Yacoub and Sanda Codreanu.

With a mixture of genres, comedy, horror and fantasy, Noémie Merlant tells the story of three women who take their live back by simply being together and being free.

As the film doesn’t hide from vulgarity, violence and reality though treating those with a sense of humour, Noémie Merlant explains her tone choice: “To make fun of the aggressors was a way to talk about it, to share”.

Written with Céline Sciamma who directed Noémie Merlant in Portrait of a Lady on Fire, 2019, the film purposely leaves no space for good guys, even though it acknowledges their existence. Noémie Merlant e focuses on portraying the bad guys, the aggressors, trying to understand who they are and why these women found themselves in those violent and abusing situations.

For this second feature after the debut Mi iubita mon amour, in 2020, Noémie Merlant admits finding inspiration in the early Pedro Almodovar films, his women, his atmospheres and camera movements.

Plot

As a heat wave brings a Marseille neighbourhood to the boil, three roommates gleefully meddle in the lives of their neighbours from their balcony. Until a late night drink turns into a bloody affair.

Written by: Chiara Nicoletti

Guest

Noémie Merlant

Film

The Balconettes

Festival

Festival de Cannes

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