Lady Macbeth is a 2016 British period drama film directed by William Oldroyd. The film tells the story of Katherine, a young woman who is sold into a loveless marriage with a much older man in 19th century England. Trapped in an oppressive and abusive household, Katherine begins an affair with a handsome stable hand named Sebastian, setting off a chain of events that lead to tragedy.
Review:
Lady Macbeth is a stunning and evocative film that explores the themes of power, oppression, and sexuality. The film’s direction is masterful, with William Oldroyd using a sparse and atmospheric visual style to create a sense of tension and unease throughout. Florence Pugh delivers a remarkable and deeply affecting performance as Katherine, conveying both the vulnerability and the strength of the character with equal skill. The film is a raw and honest exploration of the human experience, and it raises important questions about gender, class, and power.
Awards:
Lady Macbeth has won numerous awards, including:
- Best British Independent Film at the British Independent Film Awards
- Best Actress for Florence Pugh at the Dublin Film Critics’ Circle Awards
- Best Directorial Debut for William Oldroyd at the Evening Standard British Film Awards
- Best Actress for Florence Pugh at the Houston Film Critics Society Awards
- Best Actress for Florence Pugh at the London Film Critics’ Circle Awards
- Best Actress for Florence Pugh at the New York Film Critics Online Awards
The film’s critical acclaim and numerous accolades are a testament to its powerful storytelling, evocative direction, and outstanding performances.
Overall, Lady Macbeth is a haunting and thought-provoking film that offers a powerful commentary on the human experience. It is a testament to the power of cinema to tell important stories and to shed light on important social issues, such as the nature of power and the complexities of gender and sexuality.
Directed by | William Oldroyd, |
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Produced by | Fodhla Cronin O’Reilly |
Screenplay by | Alice Birch |
Based on | Lady Macbeth of the Mtsensk District by Nikolai Leskov |
Starring | Florence Pugh, Cosmo Jarvis, Paul Hilton, Naomi Ackie, Christopher Fairbank, |
Music by | Dan Jones |
Cinematography | Ari Wegner |
Edited by | Nick Emerson |
Production companies |
BBC Films British Film Institute Creative England iFeatures Protagonist Pictures Sixty Six Pictures |
Distributed by | Altitude Film Distribution |
Release date | 10 September 2016 (TIFF) 28 April 2017 (United Kingdom) |
Running time | 89 minutes |
Country | United Kingdom |
Language | English |
Budget | £500,000 ($650,000) |
Box office | $5.2 million |