THE MODEL
Denmark, 2016, 105 minutes, Colour.
Maria Palm, Ed Skrein, Yvonnick Muller, Charlotte Tomasewiska.
Directed by Mads Mathiessen.
The plot of The Model is not entirely unexpected, portrait of a young girl living in Denmark, an international opportunity to model in France, the support of her parents, their questions. There is also the relationship with her boyfriend, a student.
In France, she is nervous, shares a room with another model who is initially hostile but becomes her support, and the ambivalent behaviour of the landlord.
At first, she fails at the photo shoot, very awkward, her age and ready to give up on her. However, she returns, is successful, begins a relationship with the British photographer – which ultimately leads to further betrayal, her disillusionment, her returning home to Denmark. She has also deceived her boyfriend and he abandons her.
Model Maria Palm portrays Emma, the model, and British Ed Skrein is the photographer.
The ending is open-ended, the model being offered another job, to pose for Chanel, which was her dream – but the screenplay does not give the ending but, judging on her past behaviour, she will most likely accept.
1. A Danish story, a universal story? Internationality, France, Britain?
2. The title, expectations, fulfilled?
3. The opening with Danish life, an ordinary family, studies, relationships? The musical score?
4. The Paris locations, the studios, apartments, clubs?
5. Introduction to Emma, at home, her ambitions, her relationship with her parents, her boyfriend, the bond, the promises? Family support, the opportunity, going to Paris? Her being nervous, the later revelation of her young age, her lies? The apartment, the landlord and his behaviour towards her? The roommate, initial hostility, sharing, friendship, talk, confidante and advice?
6. The photo shoots, the make-up, the staff, the photographers, the agents? Discussions about deals? Emma and the interaction with the agent, his giving up on her, a favourable response, his promoting her? Her return to the photo shoot? Her trying? Her success, the range of costumes, poses, the range of photos with the group? Her desire to pose for Chanel?
7. Shane, criticism, change of heart, at the dance, her response, the sexual attraction, the liaison? The photo shoots, his style, success?
8. The weekend, travelling, the guests, the talk, the experience, Shane and liaisons, Emma and her behaviour with the man seducing her, upset? The clashes, the parting?
9. Her boyfriend coming to Paris, her lies, putting him off, his reactions?
10. The break, the effect on Emma, her going home?
11. Life back at home, the phone call – and the offer, Chanel and the screenplay leaving it to the audience to decide whether she would accept or not? Judging on her past
experiences, a probable acceptance?
