Set Me Free (1999)
A tender, autobiographically charged coming-of-age drama from Léa Pool, set in 1963 Montreal and filtered through the transformative power of cinema.
Set Me Free - Movie Information
- Original Title: Emporte-moi
- Release Year: 1999
- Directed by: Léa Pool
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Drama, Romance
- Runtime: 1h 35m
- Original Language: French
- Spoken Languages: French
- Release Date (Theatrical): February 12, 1999 (Canada)
- Production Companies: Catpics Coproductions, Haut et Court, Cité-Amérique
- Production Countries: Canada, Switzerland, France
Set Me Free - Plot
A coming-of-age tale centered on Hannah, a young girl who is living a troubled family life. Set in 1963, Hannah develops a fascination with Jean-Luc Godard's then-recent film "Vivre sa vie". As she begins to model herself after the film's lead role, Hannah slowly begins to explore the confusing nature of her sexuality.
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Set Me Free - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- Léa Pool
Main Cast
- Karine Vanasse
- Pascale Bussières
- Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović
- Alexandre Mérineau
- Charlotte Christeler
- Nancy Huston
- Monique Mercure
- Jacques Galipeau
- Carl Hennebert-Faulkner
- Neil Kroetsch
Writers
- Isabelle Raynault
- Léa Pool
- Monique H. Messier
- Nancy Huston
Producers
- Alfi Sinniger
- Carole Scotta
- Lorraine Richard
Set Me Free - FAQs
What is Set Me Free about?
Set Me Free follows Hannah, a sensitive teenager navigating a turbulent family life in 1963 Montreal. Captivated by Godard's Vivre sa vie, she begins mirroring the film's protagonist as a way of processing her identity, her sexuality, and her longing to break free from the constraints around her.
How does Godard's Vivre sa vie shape the story?
Vivre sa vie becomes Hannah's emotional compass throughout the film. She sees in Godard's heroine Nana a reflection of her own desire for freedom and self-definition. The film-within-a-film device lets director Léa Pool explore how cinema can become a mirror for a young person's inner life.
Where can you watch Set Me Free?
You can check current streaming and rental options for Set Me Free on JustWatch, which tracks availability across platforms in your region. Availability may vary depending on your country, so it's worth checking regularly for updates.
Who plays Hannah in Set Me Free?
Karine Vanasse plays Hannah in a breakthrough performance that launched her career. She brings remarkable emotional depth to the role of a girl caught between a difficult home life and a fierce inner world. Pascale Bussières and Predrag 'Miki' Manojlović portray her parents.
Is Set Me Free based on a true story?
Set Me Free draws on autobiographical elements from director Léa Pool's own adolescence. While not a strict autobiography, the film reflects Pool's personal experience growing up as a young woman with a complicated family background, lending the story an intimate and deeply felt authenticity.
Who directed Set Me Free and what is her style?
Léa Pool, a Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, directed Set Me Free. Known for her lyrical, introspective approach, Pool crafts films that explore female identity, desire, and emotional isolation with quiet intensity. Her work consistently centers women's inner lives with sensitivity and visual elegance.
How was Set Me Free received by critics?
Set Me Free earned strong praise on the international festival circuit, particularly for Karine Vanasse's debut performance and Léa Pool's delicate direction. Critics highlighted the film's poetic atmosphere and its nuanced portrayal of adolescent identity, placing it among the finer coming-of-age films of its era.
What are some films similar to Set Me Free?
If Set Me Free resonated with you, try À nos amours (1983), Young & Beautiful (2013), or Loving Annabelle (2007) for similarly intimate explorations of female adolescence and desire. Father of My Children (2009) and Leaving (2009) also share the film's quiet, emotionally layered French-language sensibility.
More About Set Me Free
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