Watch Kung Fu Master

Kung Fu Master, directed by Agnès Varda, is a 1988 French film that stars Jane Birkin, Charlotte Gainsbourg, and Mathieu Demy. The movie follows the story of a forty-year-old divorced woman named Mary-Jane (played by Birkin), who falls in love with her daughter's seventeen-year-old classmate, Julien (played by Demy). Despite the age difference, Mary-Jane and Julien start a forbidden relationship that is both romantic and delicate.

The film opens with Mary-Jane picking up her daughter, Lucy (played by Gainsbourg), from a summer camp. During the ride back home, Lucy reveals to her mother that she has a crush on Julien, a boy from her school. Mary-Jane and Lucy stop by a local arcade where Julien works, and Mary-Jane finds herself attracted to Julien's carefree and youthful spirit. As the story progresses, Mary-Jane and Julien start spending more time together, and eventually, they begin an intimate relationship.

Throughout the film, Varda explores the dynamics of age, power, and desire. The relationship between Mary-Jane and Julien is portrayed as a taboo that puts them in a vulnerable and compromising situation. They have to hide their feelings from society, their families, and friends. At the same time, the film does not condemn their relationship, but instead, it challenges the viewer's perception of what is considered acceptable and what is not.

Apart from the central storyline, Kung Fu Master also delves into the theme of female identity and self-exploration. Mary-Jane is a woman who is in the process of redefining her life after a failed marriage. Julien, on the other hand, is still figuring out who he is and what he wants from life. By exploring their relationship, Varda also examines the idea of growing up and coming of age, regardless of one's age.

The movie is shot in a naturalistic style that creates an intimate atmosphere that mirrors the complex relationship between Mary-Jane and Julien. The scenes are often quiet, and the camera lingers on the characters as they navigate their emotions and desires. The film's soundtrack also adds to the mood of the movie, with songs that evoke nostalgia, romanticism, and melancholy.

Acting-wise, Birkin delivers a nuanced performance as Mary-Jane, conveying her character's vulnerability, confusion, and passion with subtlety and depth. Demy, in turn, captures Julien's youthful innocence and confusion, making his character endearing and sympathetic.

In conclusion, Kung Fu Master is a poignant and thought-provoking film that challenges viewers to rethink their preconceptions of love, desire, and aging. Through its characters and storyline, the movie explores complex themes that are universal and relatable. The naturalistic style of the movie, the excellent soundtrack, and the nuanced performances of its actors all contribute to the film's emotional impact.

Kung Fu Master is a 1987 art house & international movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 21 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.9.