In a world of film that more often than not portrays women in regard to their relationship with men, films that showcase women and their relationships with themselves are far and few in between. Tampa Theatre is showing two films that reveal the different kinds of relationships women go through with themselves throughout their lives: trying to discover yourself and then rediscovering yourself as you transform into a completely new person after a lifetime has passed.
Clouds of Silas Maria (2hr 4min) (R)
Directed by Olivier Assayas
Twenty years after playing the role that launched her into fame, Maria Enders (Juliette Binoche) is asked to perform in a revival of the very same play. Only this time, instead of portraying the young, captivating role of Sigrid, now played by a young, scandalous star (Chloë Grace Moretz), Maria is slipping into the role of Sigrid’s older boss Helena, the character who is driven to suicide by the antics of Sigrid. As Maria travels to the mountains with her personal assistant (Kristen Stewart), Maria finds herself identifying more and more with the older character as she strips both herself and the character down in order to prepare for what could be the biggest role of her career.
Welcome to Me (1hr 45min) (R)
Directed by Shira Piven.
After winning the Mega-Millions lottery, Alice Kreig (Kristen Wiig), a woman with borderline personality disorder with a penchant for swan statues and Oprah, decides she wants to do something different with her life, subsequently stops taking her psychiatric meds and acquisitions her very own talk show. Out of her depth and armed only with the idea for a swan-boat entrance and the money to hire two down-on-their-luck brothers from the infomercial production business, everyone is surprised when Alice’s unconventional show starts building a solid following. However, Alice’s growing obsession with fame and recognition comes with a price as she begins to estrange herself from her family and friends.
See Clouds of Sils Maria Saturday at 2 and 7:30 p.m., Sunday at 3:15 p.m., Monday-Wednesday at 7:30 p.m.; Welcome to Me shows Saturday at 5 p.m. and Sunday at 6 p.m. tampatheatre.org.
This article appears in May 21-27, 2015.