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News, Reviews & Commentary on Lesbian and Bisexual women in Entertainment and the Media

Dorothy Snarker

by Dorothy Snarker

"Cracks" reveals a disturbing tale of boarding school obsession

If you’ve been waiting anxiously to catch your first glimpse of repression, lust and Eva Green in an all-girls boarding school drama Cracks, wait no more. The first poster and trailer for the new film were released this week. While it looks gorgeous, the tagline certainly raises an eyebrow: “Innocence isn’t lost. It’s taken.” Uh-oh.

Eva stars as the popular, enigmatic Miss G, a teacher and diving coach at an elite English boarding school during the summer of 1934 who is adored by her students. Previous reports about the film has raised hopes a lesbian relationship, but the trailer suggests something more sinister.

The trailer brings to mind Picnic at Hanging Rock mixed with Loving Annabelle and a healthy dash of Heavenly Creatures and Lord of the Flies thrown in for good measure. So when Eva said that the story was “"little taboo” earlier, she really wasn’t kidding.

Apparently, the group’s tight bond is broken or cracked, if you will, with the arrival of Spanish student, Fiamma. While all the other girls fawn over Miss G, Fiamma (María Valverde, seen below) is unfazed by her charms.

[SPOLIER ALERT: Key plot point follows, so shoo!] AfterEllen.com reader blackcherries reports that those looking for a meaningful lesbian relationship will almost certainly be disappointed, and probably a little creeped out. After seeing the film she said:

This is what you get: the alleged student actually fears Eva. There isn’t a single moment where the student and Eva have consensual flirtations. The only true lesbianish moment (a disturbing scene) is when the student passes out from drunkeness and Eva takes her to her room and proceeds to kiss and undress her while she is still passed out. Eva says “We’ll travel the world together...don’t make me beg” as she continues to kiss her neck. The next morning the student says “Everyone must know what you did to me.”

So, score one against positive portrayals of same-sex attraction. And another all-girls boarding school drama that ends badly? Have we learned nothing from The Children’s Hour and Lost and Delirious? Terrible child predators aside (and that’s a very big aside), Cracks has received praise for its storytelling and style. It also marks the directorial debut of Jordan Scott, daughter of Ridley Scott and niece of Tony Scott. The U.K. paper The Times said:

Scott ploughs ahead regardless to deliver her own startlingly unique take on repressed desires and distaff rivalries in a 1930s boarding school for girls….(The) performances that she has coaxed from her leading ladies suggest genuine greatness to come.

So, what do you think? Will you still see Cracks, despite what appears to be a rather unsettling outcome?

Viva's picture

hmm...

......... 

 

"Progress is not an illusion, it happens, but it is slow and invariably disappointing." Orwell

 

monica_ca's picture

Um....no

Seems to be a film about a rapist/perpetrator of sexual abuse with no redeeming qualities.  If I want that, I can just read CNN or LA Times.
Georgie. 's picture

Oh dear God, creepy.

Oh dear God, creepy.

JT's picture

mh, creepy...

creepy can be good. mysteries can be very entertaining. but the lesbian as rapist? that's in no way the good creepy. sadly. because otherwise the film does look quite promising. and so many women in one film! 
kallisti's picture

Darn.

Reading about it, I was pretty sure I wouldn't see it, but the trailer is actually rather interesting, and it looks well done. Still, I can do without more tales of creepy lesbian predation and doom.

I'll see it if I see it. I won't go out of my way to do so.

tempest819's picture

Probably not...

If the movie stays to true to the book, particulary if it includes the 'incident' with the girls and Fiamma.... then no. Most definitely not.  That book was disturbing.
tempest819's picture

Eeeesh!

Just watched the trailer...yeah, looks like the 'incident' remains...Won't be seeing this...could barely get it out of my head when I read the book, don't need the visual to go with it.

Hope that the directors does something else soon though, because, the movie looks like it was beatifully crafted.

xblondykebarx's picture

No thanks

I can already get what's going to happen by the trailer. We get enough craziness and sadness in the real world.

When i read a book or watch a movie, i want it make me feel good not bad.

It still looks like well directed movie, so if anybody is interested in those sort of dramas, they should definitely see it. It's just not my cup of tea.

strict machine's picture

absolutley

the trailer looks great, the plot sounds interesting, the acting looks wonderful and its filmed beautifully
iloveny's picture

Paeodophile

Yes rather unsettling, this movie seens to be encouraging Paeodophile to abuse kids. 
tempest819's picture

It's not my cup of tea

It's not my cup of tea either,I just couldn't stomach it, but I can say that the book in no way applauded the main character for her behavior, so I doubt the movie would either.  The story is a tragedy, essentially, so I don't see it as trying to encourage that behavior.
Psynomi's picture

Hmmm

Creepy... yes!

Interesting... hell yes!

 

Needless to say I'm going to watch it.

Freakchick's picture

No Hara-Kiri Today, Thanks

Hmm, lemme think REAL HARD about this...thanks, but no thanks. I don't think I need to see any more tragic lesbian-themed stories. I have enough frustration in my life. This looks more like The Children's Hour meets The Well of Lonliness than Lost & Delirious to me...the latter was, while gut-wrenchingly sad in the end, at least a beautiful portayal of an authentic teen lesbo relationship that ended up going bad when one of them just couldn't deal w/ being outed. But this...obviously is not about anything beyond sick power struggles between teens and the adults they idolize. Not pedophelia, in my book, but nothing I need to see, either. I don't see anything redemptive about this story.
*Kiki*'s picture

The trailer looks really

The trailer looks really good, I dont really mind the whole creepy/lesbian/predator storyline. I didnt expect more, really.

I keep reading about a book, what is it called? Is it the same as the movie?

_________ 

vivono nella speranza

Je le porte-voix's picture

Anything slightly original in theatres... Certainly!

I'm quite an Eva-fan; really enjoyed her character and natural beauty in Casino Royale; and this surely isn't her first porn/pervert movie. In The Dreamers, for instance, she appeared in quite a few sex scenes, and admitted that they shocked her after watching a cut. 

I'd really consider watching this; reminds me a little of Joanne Harris's book, Gentlemen and Players. Besides, it's not as if this movie will intimidate my feelings towards my sexual orientation; I'm not the sick pervert, and if all people shut the doors to their souls each time they heard about a rape-case, we will soon be extinct!

Libra's picture

Very interesting! I need to

Very interesting! I need to see it cause I think I met someone like this teacher. 

"Only a fool speculates about the life of a woman!"

Yawn's picture

Woah.

I really like the trailer. It seems beautifully directed. And the theme of the film is interesting too. So I definitely want to watch it. Plus Eva Green is just a bonus on top of it ;)
shortypants's picture

Cracks>>

 

OK- when AE first alerted us to this movie, I thought: "Hmmm... this sounds just like 'Cracks,' the book by Sheila Kohler" and now I'm POSITIVE that this movie was based on this  book.

The sole differences between the book and the movie (that I can tell so far) is that the book was set in the 1960's South Africa v/s 1930's England, and Fiamma wasn't Spanish she was Italian. The book was absolutely dreadful b/c, IMHO, the author never really dug into the characters and threfore, I never got into the story nor cared one way or another about the characters.  If the movie is able to pull the opposite effect, in terms of actually engaging in character development, then I'm in.

And Eva doesn't hurt, either. ;0)

ketchup__fights's picture

Oh goody!

Another movie about a psycho predatory lesbian where the theme is obsession! Where do they get their ideas?

Unfortunately the movie actually looks beautifully filmed and acted. Damn them! How dare they tempt me with lush cinematography! Nonetheless, I'll be staying away. No need to encourage these kinds of stories in our films. Not that that'll ever stop Hollywood, who is totally obsessed with this kind of story.

 Hey, that just gave me an idea for a scary movie! It'll be about a seemingly liberal network of studios and artists--we'll call it, oh, let's say... "Hollywood"-- who slowly unravel as they develop a twisted, sexually tinged obsession with lesbians and portraying us as psychotic obsessives. It'll be deep, because it'll portray the tragic consequences of obsession. You know, crappy and offensive storylines! It's going to be awesome!

Kaisa's picture

Le sigh.  If we lived in a

Le sigh.  If we lived in a world where lgbt people were portrayed regularly in a variety of stories/contexts, I wouldn't be bothered by this film in the slightest.  But of course, we don't live in that world...and the last thing we need is another predatory dyke story.  Do people really think these stories are original?  It's the oldest dyke story written by a straight person in the book.

So disappointing.

candice's picture

I'll see it

because it looks like an intriguing story that may have actually been produced well. Secondly, psychotic characters are always interesting to watch but I'd be lying if I said I was interested in the portrayal of a women as psychotic as a result of her attraction to another female.  No high five for that bit.

 

http://www.thehumansaredead.wordpress.com

melly's picture

boo!

DAMMMNNNN!!!!!!!!!! that looks sooo good!!! :P scaryyy and everything!! Tho i wont get to see it till ages!!!! :(
freakunleashed's picture

I will definitely watch it.

I will definitely watch it.

1) it's set in the 20th century

2)The plot is really interesting

3) I love thrillers

4)..and I hope things like these happen in MY boarding school.

bleu_lightning's picture

Eh, less excited, but maybe...

Cinematically, it looks like the kind of movie I'd love. And the actresses are beautiful. But, the plot is cringe-worthy. The characters look fascinating, yet I can't get over the predatory female depiction. It might be a future netflix rental when it comes to DVD...

 

hugs are like little ounces of comfort covered in a quart of love.

North's picture

not watching that!

not watching that!
DocCovington's picture

Definitely

Looks like an exciting mystery thriller!

Will definitely go see this one. :)

Shazam's picture

Well, no positive portrayal of lesbianism...

But the trailer DOES look interesting. But as much as I love Lost & Delirious, I do wish that there was actually a movie about a girls' boarding school that doesn't end badly.
Monie's picture

Eva Green, casual homophobia?

I went to see the premier of this film at the Times London Film Festival this week where Jordan Scott, Eva Green and other cast members took part in a Q&A after the screening.  An audience member told Jordan Scott that although the film was beautifully shot, she was disappointed that the ‘sad, mad and bad ‘ stereotype of a lesbian was again portrayed.  Jordan’s response was well articulated and her take on the character Miss G was that it wasn’t about her sexuality, rather about her complex character traits.  However, Eva Green, who played Miss G was asked about the character and referred to the differences in the book, finishing with the statement that in the book she was more masculine, basically a ‘dyke’. Jordan Scott laughed awkwardly, as did a lot of the audience.

 

The film was beautifully shot and there was good character development, but once again did revert to stereotypes.

Silly Alex's picture

I dont get it....

Does the teacher rape her??? HUH...god I'm so confussed :( No means no!

~I couldn't let boys have all the fun ;)

Boomstick79's picture

Interesting film

I saw Cracks at the London Film Festival last week, and I can't say I 'enjoyed' it as such, as it does deal with some uncomfortable issues, but I can't say it's a bad film either. The cinematography and cast are all excellent, and there are some nice touches of humour in it (believe it or not). That said, I did find the Miss G/Fiamma 'relationship' disturbing, but I'd imagine that's the point.

The film explores institutionalism and its effects, and there is a particularly poignant moment towards the involving items on a bedside table which I won't spoil for those of you who wish to watch it, but worked very well for me.

Not as good as Heavenly Creatures but infinitely better than similar films such as Sister my sister or Lost and Delirious. If nothing else, Eva Green looks ferociously hot in period Dior, despite her wavering accent :)

Snowy, I can see the pub from here!

computerliebe's picture

hellzyea

are you kidding me? I'm so watching this.

raped by Eva Green? yes, sir. 

DocCovington's picture

distasteful

I find your comment completely unacceptable. There is nothing "hot" about being raped, as I am sure many women can attest to.

Das nächste Mal erst nachdenken, dann tippen.

Jess's picture

looks like a load of trash

looks like a load of trash
pancreas's picture

Eva Green finally playing a

Eva Green finally playing a Sapphic role and it's another terrible sterotype? :(

I will probably still consider seeing it...

AfterStr8's picture

Deja vu all over again

Notes on a scandal, redux. Only this time the Psycho Lesbian (TM) is into minors. The horror!!!!!!

Can I haz my formulaic, lesbian, romantic, comedies now, please?

 

 

DocCovington's picture

Well...

Have you seen "It's In the Water"? Can highly recommend that lesbian comedy. :)


Although I've read many comments here depicting the "big, bad lesbian" stereotype, I'll judge for myself, as I have a feeling there is a little more to this movie than that,

However, if it's like "Heavenly Creatures", I'm gonna puke...

Kawaii's picture

Interesting

Well, I'm already addicted to the trailer. And it brings me to mind more of Notes on Scandal than Loving Anabelle lol. Guess it helps that the music in the trailer is from the soundtrack of Notes on Scandal. Did Philip Glass create the soundtrack of this one too? Cause it would suit the movie, I think.
It also brings me to mind Heavenly Creatures, The Woods and def Lord of the Flies.

But I think the movie seems interesting.
It seems like a dark and disturbing story that deals with some unconfortable issues. And it seems rich in characters and good performances (Eva looks great in it!).
I think it is beautifully shot. Like those scenes on the lake with the girls; they're somewhat ethereal. Frozen. But soon to be cracked.

I will definitely watch this.
Melissa Hsu's picture

The trailer/preview does

The trailer/preview does make the movie seem interesting, plus I enjoy psychological thrillers and psychodramas. This movie's plot features one of these genres so I may watch it. What captures my attention is the girls chasing after Fiamma, they may kill her.
I want to know how that scene will play out. Besides that, the supporting role character that the teacher likes at first, the actress playing the character looks familiar to me. I have seen her in another movie I believe. I will research online right now. UPDATE: I have found out where I have seen this actress, her name is Juno Temple. I had seen her in the movie Atonement.
Katie's picture

Sounds Facinating.


I's certainly something I've never heard of before.  I'd watch it.  The cinematography seems really beautiful. Such an interesting topic, it's certainly going to raise some controversy.
NotHere's picture

Hmmm....

The trailer seems pretty intense - reminds me of Sister My Sister - intriguing and disturbing...
Melissa Hsu's picture

I have never heard of the

I have never heard of the movie you have mentioned, I have just looked up the synopsis. It seems interesting so I will rent it if I can find it. Thanks, NotHere, for the mention of the movie Sister My Sister.

Trinian's picture

...

It looks creepy.
imthey's picture

...

I might actually still see the film, but only because I find disturbing films rather interesting.

I'm a fan of movies like Heavenly Creatures, Sister My Sister, Secret Places, Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit and other such angsty and slightly disturbing films.

And so I'm not thought to be entirely nuts, i do also like lighter fare as well.  

If God had wanted me otherwise, He would have created me otherwise. ~Johann von Goethe

Laura's picture

Ladies, ladies, ladies...

I KNOW that many films have portrayed the lgbt community as predators, rapists, murderers etc, irrationally. HOWEVER, for some reason I believe this film is different... 

Think about it, if it were a male character as the teacher, the plot, as taboo as it is, would still be interesting wouldn't it? Imo, it really would, because paedophillia exists! Why shouldn't it be shown to the world, the world should know the details to prevent this immoral behaviour. It should NOT be held at arms length nor should it be considered with ignorance because people are uncomfortable discussing it. 

I will indeed watch this film because I think it shows that, lesbians, are just like all other people, we are no better, we are no worse, we're just, imperfect people, like the rest of the world. 

 

 

"I am, you know"
"What?"
"Yours"

monica_ca's picture

Thing is

...if the teacher were male, I still wouldn't watch it. Maybe some people would, but for me, I'm not really into films about rapists with no redeemable qualities.  To be honest, I find it ESPECIALLY disturbing b/c it involves a teacher student relationship...it's not about the gender of the offender.
strict machine's picture

bad things happen

in the world and therefore in movies.  not just of a sexual nature but murder, drug addiction, genocide, racism.  it opens our eyes to address there issues.  im not interested in watching some idealised version of the world where all is sweetness and light
Cara D's picture

yep

exactly! we are just as fallable as everyone else. 

 

If you have not found something you are willing to die for, you have not yet lived. - Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Cara D's picture

Most Certainly...

I will go to see this, of course I'm disappointed that I wont be seeing Eva Green a positive f/f relationship HOWEVER this film is not representing the LGBTQI community, let alone insinuating that homosexuality = killer. This looks like a well crafted film about the repression of desires in the 1930/40's and if anything a critique of repression rather than homosexuality. 

Not to mention the fact Miss Green is a very gay-friendly actress and wouldn't take a role she saw as offensive.

And the whole predator thing just makes me laugh, none of us minded when it was Diane Gaidry and Erin Kelly? ;) How can we know whether this Miss G character has any redeeming qualities without seeing the film. 

 

(oops wrote a little too much thats what happens when you show a film studies student a trailer :-P )

 

If you have not found something you are willing to die for, you have not yet lived. - Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

Thane McAllister's picture

Hells Yes!

First of all, that Spanish chica is tha baddest bitch...and i wanna sex her up a smidge! Secondly, that Eva Green broad is (among other things-those things being smoldering hot) a superb actress; i'm psyched to see her in...anything! Thirdly, can you say sexual impropriety with underaged* (yet uncharacteristically hot) pupils! Dude, you'd have to be all kinds of crazy NOT to want to see this. I'm almost certain this film will not have a "happy ending", but if it's happy endings you want, go see a Disney movie or some shit!

*I, in no way, advocate the abuse (sexual or otherwise) of minors; this is a movie and i highly doubt any of those girls were sexually exploited on set...jerk!

"Close your legs, bitch; i can see your Spanx!"

celtic blade's picture

Not all Dykes are Angels. If

Not all Dykes are Angels. If you take the movie for what it is it should creep you out.

I'm definitly seeing this movie. Looks like a lot of pre- production went into the development. Cann't wait...