We think this duo would love a movie marathon!
BY ANFAL SHEYX, IMAGE BY NETFLIX
As we anticipate the next season of Bridgerton, focusing on Michaela and Francesca, we can take inspiration from their love story for these films. Even though our couple is far from the cinema in the Regency period, we know they’d love to snuggle up with some popcorn to these films.
Rafiki
Making history as the first Kenyan film to be screened at the Cannes Film Festival, Rafiki follows the blossoming love story of Kena and Ziki, as their friendship develops into a beautiful love story. We know Francesca would love the depiction of a quiet blossoming love, while Michaela would root for Kena and Ziki’s boldness in the face of societal pressure.
Portrait Of A Lady On Fire
Sure to be one of Francesca’s favourites for the musical composition and yearning alone, Portrait Of A Lady On Fire tells the story of a painter, Marianne and her subject Héloïse, a noblewoman she is hired to paint. As the women get closer, their relationship turns into an all-consuming love which they remain touched by all their lives. A film that explores identity and love amongst one’s family is one we know Francesca would watch on repeat.
Carol
Both Michaela and Francesca will find something to love in Carol. For Michaela, we imagine her admiration for Carol, a woman going through a divorce who refuses to be ashamed of her sexuality, and for Francesca, we imagine her identifying with the quiet, doe-eyed Therese, a store clerk slowly falling for Carol. Beautifully filmed in the aesthetic of the 1950s, we imagine both Francesca and Michaela being stunned by the elegance of the period, and of the love story of Carol and Theresa, who, much like our leading ladies, remain drawn to each other.
The Half Of It
A more contemporary but touching and surreal portrayal of love is The Half Of It. This film centres on Ellie, an American-Chinese teenager who uses her writing skills to help a jock, Paul, impress his crush, Aster. As the movie progresses, the connection between Ellie and Aster grows unexpectedly. What makes The Half Of It remarkably different, despite its rather Shakespearean plot, is the film’s refusal to pigeonhole its characters, swerving away from predictable “nerd”, “jock” and “mean girl” stereotypes, to deliver well-rounded characters to the screen. Francesca would be proud, and even Michaela might shed a tear.
Bound
If Michaela is the thrill seeker we think she is, she would love Bound. A noir thriller that explores the relationship between ex-con Corky and femme fatale Violet as they conspire to steal a fortune from Violet’s boyfriend, Bound has the perfect mix of danger and seduction that would make it one of Michaela’s favourite films. While Francesca might not approve of the theft of it all, she would love the seductive love story between Corky and Violet that makes them literally partners in crime.
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