It is birthday number 40 for Empress Elisabeth "Sissi" of the Austro-Hungarian empire and many people are predicting her downfall, including herself. Idolized from the age of 16 when she became Empress, Sissi rebels at the notion of following conventions, meeting expectations, and bowing to the opinion of the masses. "A lion doesn't lose sleep" she says, "over the opinion of sheep." Sissi is mischievous, wily, willful, and passionate. She embraces ephemeral moments that provide pleasure; riding horses at night, friends with benefits, and swimming nude in mountain lakes in the darkness. Her family reluctantly tolerates her, and that makes her uncomfortable and depressed. "If you allow yourself to be swayed by gossip" she tells her son, "you are not worthy to be emperor." She wishes her relatives were as bold as herself and loved her for who she is.
Once you see Vicky Krieps in person you realize that she is perfect for the role of Sissi. Krieps was present, along with the director, at this North American premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sitting a few feet from Krieps I observed the playful look in her eyes, how she sat on the theater railing instead of standing as people normally do, her spritely grin, and the spirited and good-humored way she answered questions. Krieps was open-hearted, lively, talkative, and bold, just like Sissi. Don't take my word for her abilities though, she tied for the "best performance" at the Cannes film festival. Krieps learned Hungarian for the role and swims in the Danube River in winter. She said that for women "there is an obligation and pressure to please even though we are free to do as we please." This pressure hasn't lessoned, she noted, despite the 150 years that passed since Sissi's time.
Corsage is so captivating because Sissi is a fascinating and real character, Krieps is so good at playing her, and it is an atypical film. Even the ending credits are a delight to watch and are distinctly Sissian and Kriepsian. Director Marie Kreutzer said that Sissi's playfulness and acts of rebellion made her a compelling character. Instead of portraying the entire life story of Sissi, Kreutzer opts to focus on her at 40 years old. It is a delight to see the story of this amazing and beguiling woman revealed on screen.
Once you see Vicky Krieps in person you realize that she is perfect for the role of Sissi. Krieps was present, along with the director, at this North American premiere screening at the Toronto International Film Festival. Sitting a few feet from Krieps I observed the playful look in her eyes, how she sat on the theater railing instead of standing as people normally do, her spritely grin, and the spirited and good-humored way she answered questions. Krieps was open-hearted, lively, talkative, and bold, just like Sissi. Don't take my word for her abilities though, she tied for the "best performance" at the Cannes film festival. Krieps learned Hungarian for the role and swims in the Danube River in winter. She said that for women "there is an obligation and pressure to please even though we are free to do as we please." This pressure hasn't lessoned, she noted, despite the 150 years that passed since Sissi's time.
Corsage is so captivating because Sissi is a fascinating and real character, Krieps is so good at playing her, and it is an atypical film. Even the ending credits are a delight to watch and are distinctly Sissian and Kriepsian. Director Marie Kreutzer said that Sissi's playfulness and acts of rebellion made her a compelling character. Instead of portraying the entire life story of Sissi, Kreutzer opts to focus on her at 40 years old. It is a delight to see the story of this amazing and beguiling woman revealed on screen.