Word: petra
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Camille is vaguely dissatisfied with Martin, and it only takes the death of her dog to provoke an emotional crisis. When, finally, Camille breaks down in a laudromat, Petra (Rachel Crawford), an eccentric and beautiful circus performer, happens to be there. Her comforting touch is highlighted by the camera in a way that promises she will be back, and she arranges a mix-up with their clothes so that they will be forced to meet again...
After this first encounter, Petra makes no attempts to disguise her attraction for Camille. Camille resists Petra's advances, yet we sense that her reluctance is due to religious propriety rather than lack of interest. As Camille is lured by the freedom and magic of Petra's world, she is shocked by the desires which have been stirred within in her. When pressure from creditors threatens to force the circus to leave town, Camille must decide whether to abandon the only type of existence she has known in order to pursue her true desires...
Rozema has a gift for striking scenes which communicate more through images than words. The first love scene between Petra and Camille cuts between love-making and a graceful trapeze duet; Martin's phone call home is recorded on an answering machine next to Camille's empty bed. While Camille is in bed with Martin, the dancing lights that are the focus of Petra's circus act begin to swirl around the screen. The effect is extremely powerful; we immediately understand Camille's dilemma, and the fact that she desires both Martin and Petra suddenly seems human rather than contrived...
...aspect in which the film could be clearer is Camille's dissatisfaction with Martin. At first, Camille and Martin's relationship seems mutually rewarding. Yet, almost immediately after Camille meets Petra, she starts visibly to withdraw from him. The transition from satisfied heterosexuality to accepted homosexuality seems too abrupt...
...least this way, he'll know that somestudents feel strongly about it," said Petra A.Walsh...