"Kechiche's Post-Summer Blues: Mektoub, My Love: Canto Two"
In the world of cinema, sequels often strive to replicate the success of their predecessors while adding a unique twist. Such is the case with Abdellatif Kechiche's latest offering, "Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due," the sequel to his critically acclaimed film, "Mektoub, My Love: Canto Uno."
First screened at the Venice Film Festival in 2013, "Canto Uno" introduced us to the vibrant city of Sète, a city in southern France, and its young protagonist, Amin, an aspiring screenwriter and director. The film was a beautiful portrayal of Amin's summer experiences, his youth, friendships, and romantic explorations, and it even won Kechiche the Palme d'Or at Cannes in 2013 with "Blue is the Warmest Color."
Fast forward to 1994, and we find ourselves back in Sète for "Canto Due," also known as "Intermezzo." This sequel continues the story of Amin, now a young adult, with a deeper focus on more explicit and provocative themes. The mood of "Canto Due" is darker and more melancholic compared to the original film, marking a shift towards a more graphic and indulgent exploration of the characters' lives.
"Canto Due" intensifies the narrative with lengthy, graphic sexual scenes and a greater emphasis on sensuality, which sparked controversy and backlash at film festivals due to its explicit content. Thematically, it moves beyond youthful romance to a provocative examination of adult relationships, sexuality, and physicality, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling to a more raw, explicit, and indulgent level that challenges viewers' comfort and expectations.
Despite the controversy, Kechiche successfully immerses the audience back into the events of the story. The characters are depicted eating on the beach and dancing, creating a sense of familiarity for those who have watched "Canto Uno." However, the story is shrouded in a sense of unfulfilled hopes, adding a layer of melancholy to the narrative.
"Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due" was screened at the Locarno Film Festival in 2017, continuing the journey of Amin and his friends and family. The cast of "Canto Due" did not age since the continuous shooting of the film, maintaining a unique and intriguing aspect for the audience.
In summary, "Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due" is a bold continuation of the story started in "Canto Uno." It shifts the tone from a romantic drama to a divisive arthouse work noted for its controversial content. The plot evolution moves from the foundational coming-of-age and romantic development in "Canto Uno" to a more explicit, adult, and sexually charged narrative in "Canto Due," alongside thematic changes moving from youthful discovery to intense, graphic examinations of love and lust.
The sequel, "Mektoub, My Love: Canto Due," continues the journey depicted in the original film, immersing viewers in the world of entertainment and movies-and-tv. This continuation offers a provocative exploration of adult relationships, sexuality, and physicality, pushing the boundaries of conventional storytelling and sparking controversy due to its explicit content.
