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Audio Format: DD 5.1 Surround Video Format: Full Screen Languages: English Region Code: 1 Year Made: 1994 Running Time: 85
Sister My Sister reprises the real-life story of the Papin sisters, two working-class chambermaids who murdered their bourgeois employers and scandalized 1930s French society. Joely Richardson turns in a powerful performance as older sister Christine, who is employed with sibling Lea (Jodhi May) in the claustrophobic home of repressive dowager Madame Danzard (Julie Walters) and her unhappy daughter Isabelle (Sophie Thursfield). Isolated from society and mistreated by the Danzards, the sisters spiral into madness and obsession as their affection for each other blossoms into an incestuous relationship.
"...a subtle, slightly campy chamber drama with a quartet of fine performances." Edward Gutthman, San Francisco Chronicle
SISTER MY SISTER reprises the real-life story of the Papin sisters, two working-class chambermaids who murdered their bourgeois employers and scandalized 1930s French society. Joely Richardson turns in a powerful performance as older sister Christine, who is employed with sibling Lea (Jodhi May) in the claustrophobic home of repressive dowager Madame Danzard (Julie Walters) and her unhappy daughter Isabelle (Sophie Thursfield). Isolated from society and mistreated by the Danzards, the sisters spiral into madness and obsession as their affection for each other blossoms into an incestuous relationship. For interesting comparisons, refer to MURDEROUS MAIDS or Claude Chabrol's LA CEREMONIE.
Plot Summary
An eerie psychological drama based on the true story of two sisters, Christine and Lea, who were maids in a provincial French town in 1932 and gained fame when they brutally murdered their cruel employers. | Christine and Lea live and work in the house of Madame Danzard, a widow and the domineering mother of young Isabelle. The sisters have minimal contact with the outside world, no social life, and are continually berated and badgered by Madame. In this hothouse atmosphere, Christine and Lea develop an incestuous relationship. The tension between upstairs and downstairs comes to a head one day when the sisters, having blown an electrical fuse, murder Madame and Isabelle so as not to be chastised, once again.
Features
- Cast Bios
- Interactive Menus
- Scene Selection
- Theatrical Trailer
Film Facts
- Jean Genet's play "The Maids" was also based on the true story of Christine and Lea.
- Christine died in an insane asylum four years after the murders. Lea spent 20 years in prison and, after her release, was employed as a chambermaid until she died in 1982.
- The play was first produced by the Actors Theatre of Louisville in 1981.
- Additional cast: Kate Gartside (Sister Veronica), Aimee Schmidt (Young Lea), and Gabriella Schmidt (Young Christine).
- Additional credits: Patroula Waters, Joshua Robertson (assistant directors) and Dennis Kington (Steadicam operator).
- Rated BBFC 15 by the British Board of Film Classification.
- Copyright 1994 Channel 4 Television Corporation.
Professional Reviews
Los Angeles Times
"...A flawless film of astonishing power and impact created from a steadily increasing tension combined with acute observation of human behavior and attention to detail..." 07/14/1995 p.F4
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