Set Me Free

The success of Set Me Free really makes me question what the hell went on with Lost and Delirious? Set Me Free is an assured, subtle and quality film. And then Léa Pool’s next film was very bad! I can only blame the English language. Set Me Free is an exquisite, French-language film. Lost and Delirious is a disaster and also in English. Coincidence?? I think not!

Set Me Free takes place in 1963. The film follows the young Hanna over the course of her 13th year. Hanna has an unstable home life. Her mother is mentally ill and her father just kind of sucks. She’s if anything, too close to her brother. Like many young people, Hanna searches desperately for connection and identity. What she finds instead is French New Wave cinema, particularly Vivre sa Vie. Hanna’s love of New Wave begins to colour the way she sees the world. It also coincides with a growing attraction to a female teacher and fellow student named Laura. But just because Hanna’s found an aesthetic, doesn’t mean the problems in her life go away. Still lonely and desperate for life to be like the movies, Hanna runs away and spends an evening trying to be like the protagonist in one of her films.

Set Me Free is a majorly successful portrait of girlhood. The film is great at showing how what seem to be small moments really affect Hanna. This film uses close-ups masterfully and actress Karine Vanasse manages to depict a fantastic amount of emotion and insight without saying a word. The film is so great at depicting that teen state of feeling simultaneously free and capable yet forever held back from everything. Everything from parents to society to her own body prevents Hanna from achieving what is possible and desirable in her mind. As the film goes on, that tension between fantasy and reality pulls taut. Hanna has so many ideals. But the real world shocks her every time. Set Me Free is made up of small moments. But it comes together to show huge growth of its young protagonist between one summer and the next.

The choice to use French New Wave as a framing device was risky but extremely successful. The old rule goes, “don’t show a better movie in your own shittier movie.” But Set Me Free bypasses this quality comparison by contextualizing Vivre sa Vie through its protagonist’s eyes. It’s so great at showing you how this particular character views this film. It also shows how much influence media and art can have, especially on a young person. Additionally, there is inspiration in the cinematography of Set Me Free inspired by New Wave. I’m thrilled to see it. Set Me Free is a 90’s indie movie. I’ve never liked the aesthetic that goes along with that. I really appreciated watering that aesthetic down down with 60’s New Wave influences.

Hanna’s attraction to women is extremely matter-of-fact and largely conflict free. Her crush on her teacher never goes beyond her clearly finding her teacher beautiful. Then there’s Hanna’s peer, Laura. The two girls bond immediately, in an unspoken, deep way that only two girls with short hair can. The relationship is extremely sweet, especially in comparison to the experiences Hanna has with adult men. The only issue is Hanna’s brother, Paul. He often third wheels on dates. Laura seems to like the two equally. That makes sense. Hanna and Paul are very similar. The only difference of course, is that Paul is a male. In a single, simple, beautiful scene of the three sharing a bed, Léa Pool offers a snapshot of this relationship. While Laura is initially close with Hanna, eventually she turns and chooses Paul instead.

I’m really impressed with Set Me Free. This is a great, creative coming of age film. Léa Pool’s direction is extraordinary. Young Karine Vanasse’s performance as Hanna masterfully anchors the film. There were so many ways this movie could have failed. But it beat the odds and is absolutely successful. There’s a lot to love about Set Me Free. If you haven’t seen it, I really recommend tracking down this 23 year old French Canadian coming-of-age film.

Overall rating: 8/10

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