Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Completed2019121 min

Marianne travels to an isolated household to paint a portrait intended for Héloïse's prospective husband. Because Héloïse refuses to sit for the…Read more +Read less −

Marianne travels to an isolated household to paint a portrait intended for Héloïse's prospective husband. Because Héloïse refuses to sit for the painting, Marianne must observe her while pretending to be a companion. Their walks and conversations gradually change the nature of that attention. The distance between artist and subject gives way to a more equal exchange, and a commission shaped by somebody else's plans becomes the setting for a private relationship. In the temporary freedom of the house, the women begin to imagine themselves outside the roles waiting for them. This period romance follows the intimacy of looking closely and being seen in return, while keeping the limits around that freedom quietly present in every shared moment.

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Drama Romance

Sapphic characters & cast

Noémie Merlant

as Marianne

Main sapphic character

Apple TV performer publicity portrait

Adèle Haenel

as Héloïse

Main sapphic character

Apple TV performer publicity portrait

YOUR FIRST LOOK

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BEHIND THE SCENES

Details & credits

Country: France
Language: French
Premiere: 2019-12-20
Runtime: 121 minutes
Director: Céline Sciamma

Official platform supplied matching film key art

Artwork source & permission status

Editorial review approved — rights not independently confirmed

Official platform supplied matching film key art

Original publication ↗

Sources & editorial notes (7)

Last researched 2026-10-30. Editorially approved.

year: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
genres: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
status: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
country: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
language: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
directors: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
description: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
trailer url: Official Apple film page with trailer module
watch links: Licensed film-specific full-film destination; territory retained
western cast: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
premiere date: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
runtime minutes: Exact-film official platform / edition record, checked 30 October 2026
alternative titles: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
classification note: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence
representation type: Film identity and sourced lead eligibility evidence