I was explaining to a friend that the French film, Blue is the Warmest Colour, directed by Abdellatif Kechiche and staring the incredibly talented Léa Seydoux and Adèle Exarchopoulos is based on a graphic novel by Jul Maroh. They differ in many parts of the plot, while the film is driven by Adele's journey through life, significant relationship and accepting her sexuality, the book explores more subtle aspects of love, sadness and loss. Jul Maroh's artwork is characterized by delicate linework and the use of blue, symbolizing the emotional landscape of the characters. The illustrations effectively convey the intensity of their emotions and the nuances of their experiences. Instead, the colour blue in the film is used as background with subtle changes in intensity. Emma's blue hair, Adele's clothes and Emma's artwork. I feel colour could have been used better in the film to convey emotions and Adele's life journey from confused teenager to broken young woman.
I feel the book is sadder, as it explores the pain of living under the cloak of deception. To live as others want you to live or expect you to live is not living, only existing, if that. Societal pressures and family expectations collude to smother individuals, pushing them into psychological corners that are almost impossible to extricate themselves from. And when you have a glimpse of happiness and what life could be like, how devastating it is when it is ripped away from you. The loss feels even greater.
Books are important to understanding ourselves as well as the world. I would always encourage people to read the book first. Start that journey with the original storyteller, the source of the experience. Hear their voice.
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