This 2007 Dutch film is perhaps one of the most brilliant and haunting movies I've seen lately. A young blind man lives with his mother in an estate home, where he is prone to violent outbursts that drive away most of the hired help. Until Marie turns his world upside down.
Mysterious and fragile, she is an albino who bears physical and emotional scars from an abusive childhood. Initially the young man makes sexual advances towards her but it quickly deepens into mutual love. He cannot see her snow-white hair or skin but he "feels" her beauty. She is fearful that once he is able to see (through a doctor's intervention), he will be repulsed by what the world has considered a defect.
One recurring theme is that of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen". This becomes his favorite story which she reads to him often...and it is appropriate because Marie herself is a snow queen. This movie is cleverly executed: every scene illuminates Marie's struggle to accept the love of another "imperfect" person and to love herself. This film is about humanity, trust, and one special man who sees true beauty where others cannot. Despite his blindness he "sees" and feels deeply. He loves a woman who is shunned and ridiculed because of her appearance...most people would be unable to this, in my opinion. I definitely loved it. ;)
Mysterious and fragile, she is an albino who bears physical and emotional scars from an abusive childhood. Initially the young man makes sexual advances towards her but it quickly deepens into mutual love. He cannot see her snow-white hair or skin but he "feels" her beauty. She is fearful that once he is able to see (through a doctor's intervention), he will be repulsed by what the world has considered a defect.
One recurring theme is that of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Snow Queen". This becomes his favorite story which she reads to him often...and it is appropriate because Marie herself is a snow queen. This movie is cleverly executed: every scene illuminates Marie's struggle to accept the love of another "imperfect" person and to love herself. This film is about humanity, trust, and one special man who sees true beauty where others cannot. Despite his blindness he "sees" and feels deeply. He loves a woman who is shunned and ridiculed because of her appearance...most people would be unable to this, in my opinion. I definitely loved it. ;)