The film, Clouds of Sils Maria, could be the female version of Birdman although with different aspects of direction and without all the technicalities. However, the fable of a washed out actor getting old is an element both of the films share. In Clouds of Sils Maria, the story begins on a train as renowned actress, Juliette Binoche heads to Zurich with her personal assistant, Valentine. The Clouds of Sils Maria is mature and complex and engaging and brilliantly crafted. The life of the characters imitate the art in several ways including how Maria was forced to come to terms with her reality through the acceptance of a character that she’s not even thrilled about playing. There were also several scenes in which she was rehearsing lines with Valentine that kind of blur the line between the fantasy and the reality realms of the film. There were moments in which it was apparent that they were actually arguing and doing more than just simply reading the lines of a play. There were also conversations between the two about art and the art of movies itself making commentaries on cinema.

The film is rich with strong female characters that feel very authentic and exhibit real emotions. Clouds of Sils Maria can be a bit slow-paced and some scenes are rather tedious, but the experience is rewarding as we are brought along with the characters to and their exploration of the passage of time and coming to terms with it.

The film explored the pyschosexual realm of combining the paranoia that is exemplary of a film called All About Eve, and the existential crisis of an old actress is exhibited in Persona. Maria as she deals with the paranoia and existential crisis is encountered with an almost unbearable truth of slowly learning that the narrative isn’t really about her – or at least, she is in it, but her part is no longer as important as before.

The film is filled with brilliant performances that in my opinion, despite the movie already being good, still contributed greatly to the film’s success. Juliette Binoche has always been a wonderful actress, while Kristen Stewart was able to deliver so wonderfully even beside a well-known master in European cinema. What’s even more surprising is that, it’s not such an outcry to declare that Stewart even outshines Juliette Binoche in some of the scenes. Chloe Grace Moretz also delivers a stellar performance despite not having that much screen time. Everyone was on top of their game in a solid film that is worthy of all of its accolades.

Clouds of Sils Maria is a 2014 drama film by Oliver Assayas. It centers around an aging actress and her assistant, as she prepares for an older role in a remake of a play that made her famous.

The film leaves itself open to interpretation for the audience. The topic that was heavily in the film in my opinion was the actress facing the issue regarding her age. One could see how she struggled seeing a young face, one she feels undeserving of the opportunity, take her former role and overshadow her in the twilight years of her career. The insecurity and hidden fear that she presented in the film were very felt in my eyes.

The film was well-structured, although it felt dragging at times. There were times that I didn’t know what was fully happening, but I eventually caught up.

I would recommend this film to people who want to watch something a little bit deeper than most films but is an easy watch.

Clouds of Sils Maria by Olivier Assayas

I absolutely ADORED this movie. I never really expected to enjoy this so much but I really did. Although the plot may be simple enough, a middle aged actress named Maria Enders (portrayed by Juliette Binoche) comes back into the foray by playing the older lover (Helena) in a lesbian drama (Maloja Snake) wherein back in the day she played the younger lover (Sigrid) who will now be played by the troubled and scandalous young actress Jo-Ann Ellis (portrayed by Chloe Grace Moretz), there was so much more to the story that went beyond. Out of all the very dramatic and somber toned movies that we watched, I think I enjoyed Clouds of Sils Maria the most.

Watching the relationship of Maria and her assistant Valentine (portrayed by Kristen Stewart) unfurl made the movie worthwhile for me. The tension albeit sometimes sexual was evident and there were many times that I wanted to scream at the both of them to just kiss or do anything to confess what was really going on between them. As Maria was preparing for the role she would often ask Valentine to help read lines with her but then all of a sudden it felt as if both the things they were saying as mere characters of the play and their true selves as actress and assistant started to blur together. It was obvious from the beginning that Maria did not want to play the cynical, old lover that was Helena because she could not let go of herself as Sigrid who is young and more full of life. Yet Valentine tries to help her see past that because change is inevitable and something that should be embraced. After all the tension which broke into a huge fight ending on the mountains towards Maloja’s Pass to see the snake like clouds pass between the mountains. Valentine disappears and is never heard of in the movie again. The scene after there huge fight wherein the movie beautifully showcases the passing of the clouds and the beauty of it all was absolutely breath taking. The story then jumps to the nearing of the play wherein somehow Maria has realized that change is inevitable even if she was still somewhat stubborn about it in trying to change Jo-Ann’s acting technique. Yet it was so subtle, the change in Maria herself but it was there.

In the end, I highly recommend the film as it tells the story of these women and change so elegantly and all in all it was just so classy to me for some reason in the best way. Juliette Binoche played the character so well, making you sympathize and root for her all the way and I hope to watch more of her films in the future. Shockingly enough as well I did not know Kristen Stewart could play a role as well as this since I’m coming from someone who did not enjoy the Twilight saga movies. With that aside, I loved this movie a whole lot and will definitely suggest this to my other cinephile friends.

The Clouds of Sils Maria, I can say, was a different experience. It was very obvious, for me, why it is considered an art film. The beautiful sceneries that were shown in the film, as well as production elements, such as the set design, lights, camera angles, shots, etc., all worked together to form an eyegasmic masterpiece.

Just by looking at the pictures…seriously, wow!?!!!

For someone who loves traveling and seeing nature, like myself, The Clouds of Sils Maria can never go wrong. I really felt as if the film brought me to Europe, where the characters were, but my aching back from slouching while watching the film reminded me that sadly, I was still in the Case Study Room of the Social Sciences building. So, I made a promise to myself that if ever I get the chance to visit any of the 3 countries that they shot in, Germany, Switzerland, or Italy, I would surely visit the sights that I saw, most especially the “snake”. But unlike Val, I hope to not mysteriously disappear.

In a way, the film reminded me of Michelangelo Antonioni’s L’Avventura (1960). Despite the lack of closure and explanation for the characters’ disappearance, I still enjoyed the film in its entirety. The landscape and nature shown were very appropriate for the film. I liked how there was an extreme manipulation with the clouds, that despite the big drama caused by Val’s mysterious disappearance, I somehow found myself at peace while watching the clouds pass through the mountains.

The film touches up on a lot of interesting topics. I really liked that the film had a meta 3-part style that shows the changes in age and maturity of the characters in each part. As someone who wants to be in the show business and coincidentally afraid of getting old, I can say that the film scared me a little bit. From being the star in people’s eyes, who everybody adores, to not being the star and just staying in the background, Maria Enders’ life reflects the painful truth in the industry. Celebrities come and go, and they become has-beens. One day, people like you and the next day, they don’t. But, you have to accept that.

However, I enjoyed the constant exchange of lines between Maria and Val while rehearsing for Maloja’s Snake. It was fun to watch especially because it reminded me of how my sister and I practice her lines for her movies. Although, the tension between Maria and Val while rehearsing for Maria’s lines became confusing, for me. Maybe it was because of the hints of lesbianism within both sets of characters: Maria-Val and Helena-Sigrid. Just like in Holy Motors (2012), there were times when the distinction between acting and real life became unclear. Somehow, Maloja’s Snake came to life and reflected the reality of Maria and Val.

I can understand why this film received so many awards. The awards, the story, and the underlying messages of the film prove that Clouds of Sils Maria is worth the watch. And that indeed, Clouds of Sils Maria is a masterpiece.