Bluebeard – A weird mix of horror and fairy tale, with extra beard

So I watched “Bluebeard” again last Friday night – it’s weird how this film keeps coming back into my life. You know, the one with that absolutely creepy old French castle, directed by Catherine Breillat (I always think of her as a bit of an enfant terrible still). And starring Lola Créton and Dominique Thomas. Just recognizing Dominique with that face – pure “snäll farbror” gone off the rails. Makes it almost funnier, if you ask me.

Unexpectedly French but Audacious

The visuals are all gloomy corridors and cold stone – I swear, makes my old basement in Sundbyberg look like Blå hallen on Nobel night. The sound design, like, every little shuffle of a slipper feels looming. Most scenes are so quiet you hear your own popcorn chewing. Unnerving stuff.

The plot? Well, Bluebeard (that classic evil fairy tale guy who kills his wives, missing the fikas and all). Breillat turns it into this slow, off-kilter girl power thing, with two sisters snooping in spaces they shouldn’t be. Sometimes it’s intense, other times you’re sitting there just waiting for something more to happen. Bit like watching a Swedish election unfold on TV4 – a thrill, but in slo-mo.

A weird personal memory

Saw this film first after a failed date in 2010. Guy was obsessed with French movies and brought me to this crummy theater in Malmö. He fell asleep halfway through, snoring, while I sat awkward in my seat, wondering if I’d end up much like one of Bluebeard’s messy exes. At least I survived, haha.

If you like your fairytales dark, artsy, say “hej!” to Bluebeard. But be warned, sometimes it feels like sipping cold kaffe – interesting, sure, but maybe not for everyone.

watch the full movie on Mavshack Movies on YouTube

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