In a poignant presentation that received a 9-minute standing ovation, the film "Die My Love" stole the spotlight at the Cannes Film Festival's official competition, tackling a bold and realistic portrayal of a sensitive topic: postpartum depression.
The film, directed by the Scottish filmmaker Lynne Ramsay, starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, serves as a painful depiction of the internal struggles many women face away from the limelight.
Based on the 2017 novel by writer Ariana Harwicz, the story revolves around the couple Jackson and Grace, who move to a secluded rural area, where Grace grapples with intense psychological turmoil after giving birth, turning her peaceful life into a whirlwind of isolation, hallucinations, a desire to escape, and a rebellion against the role of motherhood.
Lawrence, who recently had her second child, stated in an interview with journalists:
"Nothing compares to your isolation in the postpartum period... It was a real experience I went through, and it wasn't easy to separate myself from the character of Grace."
Pattinson, as a father, mentioned that his experience inspired him during filming, saying:
"When you are next to a partner going through postpartum psychological disturbances, trying to understand her and stay by her side becomes extremely complicated."
Director Lynne Ramsay, known for addressing psychological and social issues in her previous films like "We Need to Talk About Kevin," delivered a cinematic work immersed in bleakness and realism, utilizing isolated filming locations and bleak scenes that deepened the sense of loneliness and psychological pressure.
The film has garnered praise from critics, describing it as "an honest and disturbing experience, shedding light on a hidden aspect of women's silent suffering," reaffirming Ramsay's strong presence in the contemporary psychological cinema world.
"Die My Love" is not just a film about motherhood, but an internal cry for many women seeking a voice amidst society's silence.