So since this blog is for me to be my authentic self and do whatever I want, I decided to share with you — whoever is gonna read this 😆— a real life changing experience of mine. And it happened because of this amazing film.
I don’t remember the exact year, I just remember that it was summer if I’m not mistaken. Since I can remember I loved Helen Mirren and her filmography, and that’s how I found this gem.
I was hooked because it also stars Julie Walters as one of the main characters. And genuinely it excited my brain what was this all about. I never saw such kind of representation on screen before, it was absolutely intriguing.
First of all the scenery is incredible, I love the countryside — since I’m a village girl myself — and especially the English countryside. There’s something special about it for me, but I can’t name the cause of it actually.
The beginning is really interesting, as the two best friends' marriages are somewhat opposites. Chris's (Helen) marriage is cold and monotonous, while Annie's (Julie) marriage is sweet and loving. Then one day, terrible news shocks them.
I don’t want to spoil everything so I’m going to skip. 😅
So because of the bad things Chris gets an idea and it’s heartfelt and shockingly mad at the same time. (The journey how she puts it together is funny 😆)
The idea is for her and members of the local Women's Institute to organize a fundraiser and replace the fundraising calendar with one that features tasteful photos of nude members of the Knapely Women's Institute.
It’s wild right?! I mean they are all over 50, so how they gonna make it happen? Is there gonna be anyone who is willing to join the two of them? Are they gonna let them make it? And who’s gonna be the photographer anyway? So many questions.
Okay, so after another time skip (sorry, but you can always watch the film 😉) we are seeing ten women in a room in bathrobes — except one — and the photographer on the other side of the door 😆. They are trying so hard for hours (it’s feels like hours) to make the first picture to look good but they are too tense.
And then Celia breaks the ice and calls the photographer into the room. That scene, oh gosh…
The way the photographer gently told her the instructions and then said “You look beautiful, Celia.” That was all for me, a kind of internal lightning strike struck me. I thought, “Fuck! OMG! She really is beautiful! Like a goddess! How I didn’t seen her before like that?!” I was amazed, my eyes filled with tears of joy, my heart raced. I couldn’t believe how I never looked at a woman like that, how I never saw this side of a woman before?!
It was as if a blindfold had fallen from my eyes and I saw the true, raw and unique beauty of women.
A simple phrase that we often hear or say, which we don't give enough credit to turned into something sacred at that moment. So untouchable and it meant the whole universe. I can’t describe you properly that overwhelming feeling what I felt, it was like I reborn and now I have a gift.
And since then I see every older woman with that clear vision, and I can’t tell you how grateful and privileged I feel all the time. Sometimes I wonder why I got this gift, and do I even deserve it.
It changed my whole life. That one scene, that 10 seconds and one sentence. And I wouldn't trade it for anything.
After that the film was like a dream, and I was floating in it. And it became my all time favourite, plus the real story behind it made it more fabulous and powerful. Also, Celia Imrie will always remain my beauty queen. 💖
So this is the story of one of the greatest experiences of my life.
I highly recommend the film, duh. And I encourage everyone to learn about the real life story! It's so inspiring and beautiful.
And if you've read all this, I'm grateful and I hope you're now interested in the film. Even though I just wanted to share the most defining moment of my life with you. 😇
Thank you.
