THE LINE
In the memorable opening sequence of this vivid family drama, director Ursula Meier depicts a vicious brawl between two women: troubled thirtysomething Margaret (Stéphanie Blanchoud) and her mother Christina (Valeria Bruni Tedeschi). The physical and emotional consequences of these violent few minutes reverberate throughout The Line, which captures the dramatic push-pull of a toxic but undeniable family bond. The fight leaves both women bloodied and leaves self-pitying pianist Christina with permanent hearing loss. When a restraining order prevents Margaret (who has a history of violent outbursts) from approaching the family home, her sensitive younger sister Marion (Elli Spagnolo) draws a blue line at the 100-meter mark, across which the two sisters continue to meet for music lessons. As Margaret and Christina keep up their tense standoff, Meier slowly reveals key insights into these two complicated women and the puzzling source of their painfully frayed relationship.
CAST: Stéphanie Blanchoud, Valeria Bruni Tedeschi
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