How do you feel about Orlando? How do you feel it compares to other films by Sally Potter, or by Tilda Swinton? Which films would you recommend to those who loved Orlando? Thanks for watching!
I love how this movie casts a trans person as a cis character and a Cis person as a trans character Breaking away from the expectations of the queer community as well
Just happened to catch this movie on Mubi the other day, nice to see your covering it! It's such a poetic movie. I honestly kept expecting more of a linear plot line and it was more this poetic exploration. It was beautiful though. Very much a meditation on life and life through being in a gender and how that changes things. That scene where Orlando is now be condescended by the men in the room, definitely to me like really felt like so painful a little realization on how that would feel at that time. The relationship Orlando has is very interesting and then that fades too and they have a child and there is just the moment and life. Very cool movie :)
I'm glad you could see it, and I'm happy to hear you enjoyed it too! I think the non-linear aspect definitely adds to that trance-like magical atmosphere this film has, and I love that through gender exploration Orlando discovers the privilege and discrimination attached to that. I'm just so glad it ends with that gentle, joyous ending 😊 Thank you for watching!
Really good video! I wasn't aware of Quentin Crisp's later self realisation, that adds an interesting extra layer to its exploration of gender transition. Swinton is always a favourite and a role like this fits her so well. It's a shame Potter seems to have peaked with Orlando as this and her earlier films had such a distinctly enchanting quality to them. 1:20 are there any films in particular you're thinking of which have been heavily influenced by Orlando?
Thank you! I agree regarding Crisp and Swinton, Swinton is one of my all-time favourite performers too as she seems to be able to fit into any role. I think one of the clearest influences is Yorgos Lanthimos' similarly subversive LGBTQ+ drama The Favourite. The frequent to-camera asides with humorous observations feels like a source of inspiration to Phoebe Waller-Bridge's Fleabag series too. In Orlando there's a clear Jarman-esque inspiration too. I think going over the video again, I've missed the chance to discuss also how Sally Potter's early films were often in protest of the conservative policy Section 28 (activist/singer Jimmy Somerville's appearances certainly would challenge the Thatcherite law against the "promotion of homosexuality"). Saying that, I'm very glad you enjoyed the video!
