She Is Conann
Written and Directed by Bertrand Mandico
Starring Elina Löwensohn, Christa Théret, Julia Riedler
Unrated
Runtime: 105 minutes
Opening Theatrically in North America February 2nd
Playing February 16th at Philamoca in Philadelphia

by Tori Potenza, Staff Writer

I want to live, even if it means killing love

Bertrand Mandico has made a name for himself with his beautiful and surreal filmmaking with features like After Blue and The Wild Boys. So the idea of him taking on an adaptation of Conan the Barbarian was a particularly interesting choice. His gender bending version of the story is completely his own with his staple surrealism and fantastical elements. With his story he takes the barbarian and makes it a story about transformation and the need to kill ourselves over and over, for better or worse, to arrive at the next stage of our metamorphosis.

Fans of the Arnold Schwarzenegger 80s action films might find themselves in over their heads with Mandico’s interpretation of the material. In this story Conann finds herself in the underworld and must play through their life from the beginning of their barbaric ways up until their eventual death. Conann is played by various actors including Claire Duburcq, Christa Théret, Sandra Parfait, Agata Buzek, and Nathalie Richard as the character passes through various stages of her life. It is a world where women rule supreme with few men to be seen, and it is grounded in a story of embracing our nature, confronting our mortality, and what we pass on to the next generation.

Mandico finds a way to turn Conann into a character that is deeply feminine even in their monstrous and terrible ways. And while it is just as strange and unusual as his other work there is something very potent and real about the themes of his story. It is steeped in dialogue and imagery around cycles, transformation, and metamorphosis. Even a barbarian must come to embrace, understand, and even love themselves even at their darkest and most terrible moments. While at times it feels pessimistic and bleak in its story there is something empowering and optimistic, as we see someone come to terms with the life they lived and the world they have left behind.

What is most impressive is how Mandico’s signature style still shines through despite the majority of the film being in black and white. His dreamy and neon color palettes are something he has become known for but even without the color his style and vision shine through. Even at the filthiest and grimiest moments there is always a splash of beauty and glitter. There is always an air of humor even when his stories become dark and terrible. He has a very different take on “eat the rich” one that is much more twisted than many of us mean for it to be. It is this unique eye in both his visuals and storytelling that makes his work so memorable.

For all its fantastical elements its themes are grounded in our realities, especially around power and the way barbarism has evolved in our modern day.

As Rainer (Elina Löwensohn) says, “Life is an undulating serpent”, with its many peaks and valleys. Both need to be held and recognized in order to feel the fullness of it and to truly appreciate the peaks. Even with how experimental his work can be there is something about Mandico’s work that soaks into you, making you understand what he is getting at even when you cannot fully express the ideas or emotions you feel. This is the power of film as a visual medium and the power of Mandico as a director. She is Conann is a masterful piece that connects the individual to our collective history.

If you are a Philadelphia local like myself you have the chance to see this on the big screen at one of our cultural gems Philamoca on February 16th. For information on tickets check their website. Otherwise be on the lookout for this in theaters near you or future streaming options.