Learning from 18th-century women about strong will and the arts
Portrait of a Lady on Fire
When I was a student, I had aspired to become a professional hockey player, but after much deliberation, I decided to pursue another dream: becoming a musician. Up until now, I'd mostly watched documentaries about music and sports. However, after seeing "Portrait of a Lady on Fire," my perspective on movies changed.
On a remote island in 18th century France, Héloïse is about to marry an aristocrat against her will, and Marianne, a painter, is commissioned to paint a portrait for her as part of her dowry. Despite the oppressive environment, the two begin to dream of freedom. Perhaps the reason I was drawn to this story is because the characters in the story overlap with the ascetic life I led as a student.
Although the two eventually part ways, Marianne leaves a message in the portrait: at the time, women had far fewer rights than they do now. Despite this, the two remain firm in their resolve.
I was also touched by the idea of imprinting eternal love into art. When you're making music, you tend to worry about the listener's reaction, but it made me think that it might be okay to put more of your own emotions into your songs. I've even written a song inspired by Marianne and Héloïse, although it's still a while away from being released.
