From pop royalty to raw Americana: 'Michael', 'The New West' and 'Die, My Love' • FRANCE 24

Key Concepts

• Docu-fiction: A hybrid filmmaking style blending documentary-style realism with scripted narrative elements.
• Biopic: A biographical film dramatizing the life of a non-fictional person.
• Postpartum Depression: A complex mix of physical, emotional, and behavioral changes that happen in some women after giving birth.
• Method Acting/Immersion: The practice of living within a community or environment to authentically portray or capture the essence of a subject.
• Estate-backed Production: Films produced with the direct involvement and oversight of a deceased subject's legal estate.

1. The Michael Jackson Biopic (Michael)

• Overview: Directed by Antoine Fuqua, the film chronicles Michael Jackson’s rise to global stardom, covering his time with the Jackson 5 and the Thriller era.
• Key Details:
  • Casting: Features Jaafar Jackson (Michael’s nephew) as the adult Michael.
  • Financials: Predicted opening weekend box office of ~$200 million.
  • Controversy: The film avoids the child abuse allegations that have shadowed Jackson’s legacy, ending the narrative in 1988. This decision was reportedly due to legal constraints.
  • Performance: Jaafar Jackson is noted for his physical resemblance and two years of dance training to replicate the icon's moves. Colman Domingo portrays the patriarch, Joseph Jackson, as a "menacing" and abusive figure.
• Critical Perspective: While the film is visually impressive and features strong performances, critics suggest the story feels "flimsy" and notably excludes Jackson's sister, Janet.

2. The New West (Feature Debut by Kate Beckinsale)

• Overview: A docu-fiction film following Tabitha Zimiga, a widowed horse trainer in a rural community dealing with grief and financial instability while sheltering local teenagers.
• Methodology:
  • Immersion: Beckinsale lived with the subjects for three years, working as a ranch hand to build trust and authenticity.
  • Casting: The film utilizes real people from the community alongside professional actors like Scoot McNairy and Jennifer Ehle.
  • Narrative Development: The script was woven from real-life experiences and stories shared by the community members over the three-year period.
• Key Arguments: Beckinsale argues against the "myth" that meaningful stories only originate from major urban centers like Los Angeles or New York. She emphasizes that using non-professional actors provides a level of physical authenticity (e.g., horse riding) that Hollywood actors cannot replicate.
• Real-World Context: The film touches on economic struggles in rural America, including the impact of government resource cuts and the experiences of reservation communities.

3. Die My Love (Directed by Lynne Ramsay)

• Overview: Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, the film is based on Ariana Harwicz’s 2012 novel.
• Plot: A couple moves to a remote house in Montana, where the protagonist (Grace) experiences postpartum depression.
• Critical Perspective:
  • Performance: Emma Jones describes Jennifer Lawrence’s performance as "riveting" and "explosive," noting that it carries the film even when the narrative falters.
  • Comparison: The film is compared to Darren Aronofsky’s Mother! due to the intensity of Lawrence’s portrayal.
  • Thematic Note: Despite Ramsay’s previous work on We Need to Talk About Kevin, she reportedly aimed to frame this film as a "bonkers crazy love story" rather than a clinical study of depression.

Synthesis and Conclusion

The current film landscape, as discussed, highlights a tension between commercial, estate-sanctioned biopics and more intimate, grounded storytelling. While the Michael biopic relies on massive scale and brand recognition despite historical controversy, independent projects like The New West prioritize deep community immersion and the discovery of new, authentic voices. Meanwhile, high-profile dramas like Die My Love demonstrate how a singular, powerful performance can elevate a film even when the underlying narrative structure is questioned by critics. The common thread across these works is the ongoing effort to capture the "essence" of human experience, whether through the lens of a global pop icon or the quiet struggles of rural life.