Kristen Stewart's SHOCKING Directorial Debut: A Poetry Slam of Pain and Daddy Issues!
by Abigail Isaacson in FilmKristen Stewart's directorial debut, adapted from Lidia Yuknavitch's 2011 abuse memoir, is a powerful and emotionally charged film. It recounts a writer's journey of recovering from abuse and transforming pain into literary success. The film interweaves present-day struggles with childhood memories, exploring themes of failed relationships, substance abuse, and the lasting impact of trauma. Imogen Poots delivers a compelling performance as Lidia, a young woman grappling with the aftermath of abuse by her father. The film also touches upon Lidia's complicated relationship with her body, her sexuality, and her pursuit of artistic expression. The narrative is punctuated by Lidia's reading list, highlighting the influence of writers like Vita Sackville-West, William Faulkner, and Kathy Acker on her own development as a writer. Despite some stylistic indulgences, the film is ultimately an earnest and heartfelt exploration of trauma, recovery, and the complexities of the creative process. Stewart's direction elicits strong and intelligent performances from the cast.
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