Rosetta (1999)
Dir. Luc Dardenne, Jean-Pierre Dardenne
Starring: Émilie Dequenne, Fabrizio Rongione, Olivier Gourmet, Anne Yernaux
Criterion Challenge 2023 #2 - Made in Belgium
The Dardenne’s tragic tale of Rosetta takes a close look at the harsh realities of what is like to be pushed to the absolute edge of society. Rosetta is not merely a story of a downtrodden woman trying to get by, it is a reflection of modern day society and how even with all it’s advancement, inequality is still rampant. Rosetta’s situation may happen to anyone, when it is all boiled down life is simply a luck of the draw. Some have it better than others, in the case of Rosetta, she was dealt a bad hand.
Dardenne’s use of handheld camera coupled with at times nauseating close up shots puts the viewer deep into the world of Rosetta. It is an uncomfortable experience albeit rewarding simply to experience the great filmmaking. Émilie Dequenne’s portrayal of the beaten protagonist is the highlight of the entire picture. It was raw, real, and never once did I doubt anything that she did.
Although Rosetta is a harrowing tale, it still left me wanting more. Its narrative was simple and straight forward yet at times it meandered from side to side with no real point. Perhaps The Dardenne’s were trying to showcase the meandering nature of life but it did not land as smoothly as I would have liked. It is still a valiant effort, one that I most probably wouldn’t want to reexperience given the uncomfort it exudes. Talent is clear with The Dardenne’s work. Though I may have preferred some of their other films, Rosetta is still a great example of what one can do with so little
