‘Portrait of a Lady on Fire’ director on contradictions of filmmaking in France

Published: Feb. 17, 2020, 9:30 p.m.

American independent filmmakers might envy Céline Sciamma, director of the French film, “Portrait of a Lady on Fire.” Sciamma had no problem getting funding for her lesbian romance set in the 18th century, and for that she credits France’s support for directors. But she says the system is far from perfect. She tells us about the three-year-long process of planning her newest movie and the heightened political environment surrounding French filmmaking at the moment.