Barbara Albert, 2017 | 97mins
Stunningly detailed, acclaimed filmmaker Barbara Albert’s Mademoiselle Paradis is an utterly gorgeous period film is set in 18th Century Vienna. The film centres on Maria Theresa “Resi” Paradis, a young and beautiful blind pianist who moves through the upper echelons of Viennese society. Despite her status and musical talents, Resi is constantly viewed with disdain by her friends and family, and is discriminated against because of her blindness. Resi’s fortunes begin to change, however, when she is introduced to Dr. Franz Mesmer, an experimental and rather dubious ‘healer’ who is tasked with restoring Resi’s sight. Loosely based on the bestseller, “Mesmerized,” by Alissa Walser, Mademoiselle Paradis captured five prizes at the 2018 Austrian Film Awards.
Presented with English subtitles.