The Piano

Jane Campion / AU, NZ, FR, 1992 / 121 min.

Bold power play and sexual awakening in 19th-century New Zealand. A woman takes control of her own life in this magnificent tale of love. The BBC’s Culture critics’ poll voted The Piano as best film ever by a female director. Jane Campion is the only female filmmaker so far to have won the Palme d’Or at Cannes, with this her third feature film. Newly restored.

poster The Piano (Jane Campion, AU/NZ/FR, 1992)

In the 19th century, Scottish Ada (Holly Hunter) is sent to the isolated west coast of New Zealand to marry an unfeeling settler (Sam Neill). Ada, who cannot speak, arrives with her young daughter (Anna Paquin) and a piano, her surrogate voice. Against the backdrop of rugged forests and coastlines, an unexpected and deeply sensual relationship develops with another stranger (a heavily tattooed Harvey Keitel). The reclusive Ada has never been able to express her desires, but can now finally seek the freedom of choice and happiness that she has been denied until now.