From the moment that the first image of two people laying painted, naked in bed graces the screen, you are left breathless. Lyne Charlebois, Borderline is a powerful, moving and creative testament to the amazing directorial vision of this Quebec native.
I have been lucky enough to see quite a few film that have emerged from Quebec this year at TIFF - Charlebois resignates with me deepest. Why? She takes the bull by the horns. There is no hesitation, no fear and no fluffing of Kiki Labrèche's tale of woe - it is in your face.
When you open up the chest of this film, you find it is filled with a bleeding heart that echoes meloncholy. The complexity of the film never once looses your attention, and you in fact can't help but empathize with Kiki's destain and what seems as pre-destined, unfortunate fate.
Charlebois explained to the audience at the Q & A following the film, Borderline this was very much a labour of love. She shares the story is fiction and non-fiction, based 50% on a pair of novels, 25% based on her life and 25% of pure fiction. A viewer asked her, "why this film?" Charlebois laughed and answered, "we thought we have something to say." Did they ever have something to say.
There is such a sensitivity this film places around the topics of childhood isolation, mental illness in the family, substance abuse and the quest to find true love. The performace by Isabelle Blais is nothing short of phenominal. Each angle, each shoot, the attention to detailing, makes this film alive in texture and message.
What sits with me is Charlebois words. "This movie is about the most important love...the love of yourself."
Borderline screens next on Friday, September 12th at 6:30pm, and again on Saturday, September 13th at 12 noon.
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