Film of the Month: "Corsage"
Empress Elisabeth is an icon – but "Corsage" looks beyond the flawless image. With your BIBCARD, Marie Kreutzer's impressive historical drama for free on filmfriend.
Christmas 1877: Empress Elisabeth of Austria, played by Vicky Krieps, celebrates her 40th birthday. But she can no longer, and no longer wants to, live up to the courtly ideal of the eternally young and beautiful "Sisi." A strict daily routine of fasting, exercise, hairstyles, and waist measurements is meant to preserve the image of the flawless empress – while Elisabeth inwardly rebels against it.
Marie Kreutzer portrays the world-famous Empress beyond the familiar, kitschy myth: as an intelligent, contradictory, and self-determined woman who defies the narrow expectations of her time. "Corsage" combines historical set design with modern storytelling and vividly illustrates how restrictive societal roles can become when a person is reduced to a mere symbol. Vicky Krieps' powerful performance has garnered numerous awards, including accolades at Cannes, the European Film Awards, and the Austrian Film Awards.