Céline Sciamma’s sumptuously beautiful Cannes prize-winner is one of cinema’s most compelling visions of the power of desire. Set in late 18th century France, painter Marianne (Noémie Merlant) is commissioned by an affluent countess to paint the wedding portrait of her sheltered daughter Héloïse (Adèle Haenel) so she can be appraised by a suitor across the sea.

Completing the portrait in secret, observing the resistant Héloïse by day and painting her by night, the two women grow closer. Their intimacy and attraction begins to blossom into a profoundly charged romance.

Seductive, devastating and irresistibly beautiful, this period piece with a distinctly modern feminist sensibility sees Sciamma (Tomboy, Girlhood) take her place as one of her generation’s finest filmmakers.

Become an expert portrait sketcher in the spirit of Céline Sciamma’s Portrait of a Lady on Fire, with a free Drawing Workshop, in partnership with Birds Eye View. Open to everyone, no matter your skills and abilities, the workshop will be led by art teacher Anna Schutz and all drawing materials will be provided.

The workshop is free but booking is required.