A single French mother (Camille Cottin) explores how to live life once…
Niki
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- Reviews
- Citation
- Cataloging
- Transcript
The debut feature of actor-turned-director Céline Sallette, Niki is a vibrant portrait of French-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle (Charlotte Le Bon, star of The White Lotus), one of the most iconoclastic figures of the contemporary art world.
Fleeing the oppressive atmosphere of post-war America, Niki arrives in Paris in 1952 with her husband Harry (John Robinson) ready to leave the past behind. But as she embarks on her new bohemian life in Paris, she is haunted by flashbacks and lingering childhood trauma that pushes her towards mental illness. When this culminates in being institutionalized, she turns to art as a means of survival. Emerging from darkness with a fierce creative drive, she enters the avant-garde art scene of Montparnasse.
Blending emotional intimacy with striking visual invention, Niki offers a vivid look at the making of an icon—an artist who defied convention and transformed deep psychological wounds into creativity and artistic reinvention.
“An ordinary story about an extraordinary woman and that is meant as a compliment.” —Sarah Manvel, In Their Own League
“A raw, emotional performance from Charlotte Le Bon dominates a film that gradually reveals the way in which art becomes a way of conquering trauma and finding a voice for this ground-breaking mid-century sculptor.” —Allan Hunter, Screen International
“Charlotte Le Bon delivers a tour-de-force performance that does justice to the woman behind the art.” —Gazettely
Citation
Main credits
								Sallette, Céline (filmmaker)
Sallette, Céline (screenwriter)
Doux, Samuel (screenwriter)
Lebon, Charlotte (actor)
Robinson, John (actor)
Bonnard, Damien (actor)
Gauquié, David (film producer)
Deris, Julien (film producer)
Gastand, Florence (film producer)
							
Other credits
Cinematography, Victor Seguin; editing, Clémence Diard; music, Para One.
Distributor subjects
France; French Culture; French History; Art; Women's StudiesKeywords
WEBVTT
 
 00:00:10.708 --> 00:00:16.250
 [music]
 
 00:01:01.083 --> 00:01:05.125
 [indistinct chatter]
 
 00:01:37.500 --> 00:01:38.625
 Look at me.
 
 00:03:24.333 --> 00:03:29.875
 [music]
 
 00:03:32.291 --> 00:03:33.958
 Harry?
 
 00:03:36.750 --> 00:03:40.875
 [Laura cries]
 
 00:03:42.041 --> 00:03:45.875
 [music]
 
 00:03:45.916 --> 00:03:47.125
 Two seconds.
 
 00:03:50.958 --> 00:03:52.541
 One shoe.
 
 00:03:52.750 --> 00:03:53.958
 Two shoes.
 
 00:04:01.083 --> 00:04:04.750
 Oh, goddamnit, Laura.
 
 00:04:06.458 --> 00:04:08.875
 [Laura cries]
 
 00:04:11.583 --> 00:04:12.583
 Wait, no.
 
 00:04:12.750 --> 00:04:13.791
 Wait. No, no, no.
 
 00:04:13.791 --> 00:04:14.916
 No.
 
 00:04:18.750 --> 00:04:19.916
 I know, baby.
 
 00:04:19.916 --> 00:04:21.416
 I know, I know.
 
 00:04:22.083 --> 00:04:26.666
 [music]
 
 00:04:29.000 --> 00:04:31.250
 What do you think about it?
 
 00:04:31.416 --> 00:04:32.416
 Hmm?
 
 00:04:34.958 --> 00:04:36.458
 Mama.
 
 00:04:39.291 --> 00:04:40.541
 Mama.
 
 00:04:41.666 --> 00:04:47.125
 [music]
 
 00:05:08.875 --> 00:05:09.958
 Finally.
 
 00:05:14.041 --> 00:05:15.041
 Niki.
 
 00:05:15.791 --> 00:05:18.375
 Damn it, this is the bedspread?
 
 00:05:18.416 --> 00:05:19.500
 It\'s disgusting.
 
 00:05:19.500 --> 00:05:20.875
 I\'m sorry.
 
 00:05:33.041 --> 00:05:33.875
 [laughs]
 
 00:05:33.875 --> 00:05:34.625
 Well, do it.
 
 00:05:34.625 --> 00:05:35.833
 It\'s my dream.
 
 00:05:35.875 --> 00:05:36.875
 Do it.
 
 00:08:43.333 --> 00:08:45.750
 Ah, where do we start?
 
 00:08:46.125 --> 00:08:51.166
 McCarthy, nuclear attack, racism.
 
 00:11:34.125 --> 00:11:34.833
 Niki?
 
 00:11:34.833 --> 00:11:35.666
 Oh God.
 
 00:11:35.666 --> 00:11:36.750
 Hey.
 
 00:11:37.625 --> 00:11:41.791
 Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa.
 
 00:11:46.166 --> 00:11:48.500
 Oh, sweetie, you\'re shaking.
 
 00:12:10.500 --> 00:12:15.875
 [music]
 
 00:12:27.416 --> 00:12:28.791
 It\'s all good.
 
 00:12:31.166 --> 00:12:35.541
 [music]
 
 00:12:39.541 --> 00:12:44.041
 Ms. de Saint Phalle, stay here,
 
 00:12:45.666 --> 00:12:46.958
 stay here.
 
 00:15:43.583 --> 00:15:44.708
 Niki.
 
 00:15:45.958 --> 00:15:46.958
 No.
 
 00:15:55.000 --> 00:15:55.583
 What are you hiding?
 
 00:15:55.583 --> 00:15:56.583
 No.
 
 00:15:56.666 --> 00:15:57.208
 Hey.
 
 00:15:57.208 --> 00:15:58.208
 No.
 
 00:15:59.541 --> 00:16:01.041
 Let me see.
 
 00:16:26.583 --> 00:16:27.875
 What is that?
 
 00:16:39.500 --> 00:16:45.083
 [music]
 
 00:17:49.208 --> 00:17:50.791
 What did he say?
 
 00:17:54.958 --> 00:17:56.541
 What did he say?
 
 00:18:04.083 --> 00:18:07.666
 He thinks you could hurt yourself
 
 00:18:10.541 --> 00:18:12.125
 or Laura or someone.
 
 00:18:12.125 --> 00:18:13.416
 I don\'t know.
 
 00:18:16.291 --> 00:18:18.458
 He wants you to stay here.
 
 00:18:34.833 --> 00:18:36.208
 I\'m not crazy.
 
 00:18:36.708 --> 00:18:37.541
 I know.
 
 00:18:37.541 --> 00:18:38.583
 I know.
 
 00:19:32.833 --> 00:19:34.375
 Psst.
 
 00:19:37.333 --> 00:19:38.333
 Niki.
 
 00:19:38.916 --> 00:19:39.916
 Niki.
 
 00:19:47.583 --> 00:19:48.833
 [coughs]
 
 00:23:31.958 --> 00:23:34.916
 Laura, come here.
 
 00:23:57.625 --> 00:23:59.375
 How are you, sweetie?
 
 00:23:59.916 --> 00:24:01.916
 You look a little tired.
 
 00:24:04.500 --> 00:24:06.250
 It was five days ago.
 
 00:24:07.041 --> 00:24:09.041
 We went for a long walk.
 
 00:24:11.083 --> 00:24:12.833
 It was sunny outside.
 
 00:24:14.333 --> 00:24:15.625
 We laughed.
 
 00:24:15.625 --> 00:24:16.625
 [chuckles]
 
 00:24:22.833 --> 00:24:25.625
 It\'s not even a question.
 
 00:24:29.166 --> 00:24:30.833
 What does that mean?
 
 00:24:51.375 --> 00:24:53.166
 [music]
 
 00:24:53.166 --> 00:24:57.333
 [birds chirping]
 
 00:24:58.625 --> 00:25:01.583
 [music]
 
 00:25:57.958 --> 00:26:00.625
 [Clears throat to get attention]
 
 00:28:11.083 --> 00:28:15.708
 [music]
 
 00:28:15.708 --> 00:28:20.000
 [dogs barking in the background]
 
 00:29:14.500 --> 00:29:15.500
 Niki.
 
 00:29:15.500 --> 00:29:16.000
 What?
 
 00:29:16.000 --> 00:29:17.750
 It was Bresson again.
 
 00:29:18.583 --> 00:29:20.500
 What are you doing? It\'s a lead role.
 
 00:29:40.041 --> 00:29:41.166
 I love you.
 
 00:30:24.500 --> 00:30:28.958
 [music]
 
 00:30:50.500 --> 00:30:53.041
 No, no.
 
 00:32:40.791 --> 00:32:43.291
 Yes, I promise.
 
 00:32:43.916 --> 00:32:49.041
 [music]
 
 00:33:22.375 --> 00:33:24.125
 [laughter]
 
 00:35:20.958 --> 00:35:23.125
 Oh, he\'s driving too fast.
 
 00:35:27.291 --> 00:35:28.291
 I can\'t.
 
 00:35:28.291 --> 00:35:28.875
 Okay.
 
 00:35:28.875 --> 00:35:29.666
 Oh, I got a cramp.
 
 00:35:29.666 --> 00:35:30.458
 I have a cramp in my back.
 
 00:35:30.458 --> 00:35:31.458
 Okay.
 
 00:35:54.541 --> 00:35:57.500
 It\'s long, birth, you know.
 
 00:35:58.458 --> 00:36:00.125
 You breathe very well.
 
 00:36:00.125 --> 00:36:01.041
 Bravo.
 
 00:36:01.041 --> 00:36:02.875
 I know, I read a book.
 
 00:36:03.000 --> 00:36:05.666
 We read a book
 because the first time I gave birth,
 
 00:36:05.666 --> 00:36:08.916
 they drugged me so I wouldn\'t scream
 
 00:36:08.916 --> 00:36:11.333
 and I wouldn\'t feel anything.
 
 00:36:11.583 --> 00:36:13.000
 [laughs]
 
 00:36:13.041 --> 00:36:14.583
 [chuckles] It\'s not funny.
 
 00:36:14.583 --> 00:36:16.291
 They took my girl out with forceps,
 
 00:36:16.291 --> 00:36:18.458
 and we\'re not doing that.
 
 00:36:18.958 --> 00:36:20.500
 No, we\'re not doing that again.
 
 00:36:20.500 --> 00:36:21.500
 No.
 
 00:36:32.208 --> 00:36:34.000
 Hey, hey.
 
 00:36:38.041 --> 00:36:39.708
 What is he doing?
 
 00:36:40.625 --> 00:36:41.916
 Is he peeing?
 
 00:36:43.958 --> 00:36:45.125
 [laughs]
 
 00:36:45.125 --> 00:36:46.500
 What was that?
 
 00:36:59.625 --> 00:37:01.875
 I was searching for months.
 
 00:37:03.666 --> 00:37:06.000
 Take care of it, please.
 
 00:37:09.500 --> 00:37:11.041
 [laughter]
 
 00:37:15.875 --> 00:37:19.625
 [music]
 
 00:37:30.625 --> 00:37:32.208
 [baby cries]
 
 00:37:40.375 --> 00:37:44.541
 [music]
 
 00:45:17.875 --> 00:45:21.125
 What is this thing
 that he wants with you?
 
 00:45:21.250 --> 00:45:22.250
 Nothing.
 
 00:45:37.375 --> 00:45:40.625
 I don\'t know what I
 would do if you cheated on me.
 
 00:45:41.458 --> 00:45:43.458
 I cheated on you, Harry.
 
 00:45:45.250 --> 00:45:46.250
 What?
 
 00:45:54.291 --> 00:45:55.333
 What?
 
 00:45:58.791 --> 00:45:59.916
 When?
 
 00:46:06.416 --> 00:46:07.541
 I can\'t believe it.
 
 00:46:07.541 --> 00:46:09.208
 You can\'t believe it?
 
 00:46:09.208 --> 00:46:10.958
 You can\'t believe it?
 
 00:46:19.000 --> 00:46:20.666
 What are we doing?
 
 00:46:21.291 --> 00:46:22.583
 What is this?
 
 00:46:34.250 --> 00:46:35.583
 Okay.
 
 00:46:44.708 --> 00:46:49.208
 When Laura was born,
 I had a relationship with a woman,
 
 00:46:49.208 --> 00:46:50.708
 and she was 40.
 
 00:46:51.583 --> 00:46:55.291
 We saw each other after class,
 and it lasted a while.
 
 00:46:55.291 --> 00:46:57.041
 I couldn\'t stop.
 
 00:46:58.125 --> 00:46:59.458
 In Boston?
 
 00:47:13.791 --> 00:47:14.833
 The asshole?
 
 00:47:14.833 --> 00:47:16.375
 [laughs] No.
 
 00:47:16.375 --> 00:47:18.041
 No, the other one.
 
 00:47:18.333 --> 00:47:19.041
 Fuck.
 
 00:47:19.041 --> 00:47:20.541
 Niki.
 
 00:47:21.375 --> 00:47:22.500
 Fuck.
 
 00:47:22.500 --> 00:47:24.291
 [laughs] Calm down.
 
 00:47:24.291 --> 00:47:24.916
 Goddamnit.
 
 00:47:24.916 --> 00:47:25.666
 Are you kidding?
 
 00:47:25.666 --> 00:47:26.666
 You\'re telling me all this right now?
 
 00:47:26.666 --> 00:47:27.166
 Oh God.
 
 00:47:27.166 --> 00:47:28.291
 How could you?
 
 00:47:28.291 --> 00:47:29.958
 How could I do that?
 
 00:47:45.750 --> 00:47:47.708
 It was just sexual.
 
 00:47:52.291 --> 00:47:53.375
 No.
 
 00:47:55.375 --> 00:47:58.458
 I\'m never going to meet
 anyone like you.
 
 00:48:25.041 --> 00:48:26.958
 Yeah, I know.
 
 00:48:27.083 --> 00:48:29.333
 Oh, come on, he\'s not that bad.
 
 00:48:29.333 --> 00:48:35.250
 [laughter]
 
 00:48:56.416 --> 00:49:01.125
 [music]
 
 00:49:42.125 --> 00:49:43.875
 [groans]
 
 00:49:44.166 --> 00:49:48.750
 [cries]
 
 00:50:15.958 --> 00:50:18.208
 [door knocking]
 
 00:50:39.916 --> 00:50:40.916
 Niki?
 
 00:52:38.291 --> 00:52:40.458
 [laughter]
 
 00:54:08.500 --> 00:54:12.791
 [music]
 
 00:55:47.083 --> 00:55:48.458
 Come on, it\'s his plane.
 
 00:55:48.458 --> 00:55:49.500
 It\'s his favorite toy.
 
 00:56:03.916 --> 00:56:05.000
 Hey, stop.
 
 00:56:05.333 --> 00:56:06.625
 Stop yelling.
 
 00:56:18.791 --> 00:56:22.833
 [cries]
 
 00:57:01.333 --> 00:57:02.333
 Cold.
 
 00:57:15.916 --> 00:57:20.208
 [growls]
 
 00:57:26.250 --> 00:57:28.125
 What are we doing here?
 
 00:57:46.791 --> 00:57:52.791
 [laughs]
 
 01:01:50.916 --> 01:01:52.958
 [laughs]
 
 01:02:53.791 --> 01:02:55.416
 [slaps]
 
 01:03:17.708 --> 01:03:18.625
 Hey!
 
 01:03:18.625 --> 01:03:20.041
 Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh!
 
 01:03:20.041 --> 01:03:20.708
 All right.
 
 01:03:20.708 --> 01:03:21.708
 Enough.
 
 01:03:26.000 --> 01:03:27.375
 [breaks plate]
 
 01:03:27.583 --> 01:03:29.833
 Sweetie, are you all right?
 
 01:03:35.458 --> 01:03:37.666
 You\'re always going to find
 people like that.
 
 01:03:37.666 --> 01:03:39.666
 Trying to pull you down.
 
 01:03:48.666 --> 01:03:54.083
 [breaks plates]
 
 01:04:46.166 --> 01:04:48.833
 Leave no stone before you leap,
 
 01:04:49.333 --> 01:04:52.166
 six and one, the twain shall meet.
 
 01:04:56.958 --> 01:04:59.250
 Put a little bit of flour.
 
 01:04:59.750 --> 01:05:01.708
 What else do we need?
 
 01:05:20.958 --> 01:05:23.166
 What are you doing, big guy?
 
 01:05:23.166 --> 01:05:24.583
 Get up here.
 
 01:06:25.041 --> 01:06:26.166
 Mom?
 
 01:06:27.250 --> 01:06:28.250
 Yes.
 
 01:06:31.166 --> 01:06:32.208
 Dad?
 
 01:06:44.666 --> 01:06:46.083
 Where\'s Momma?
 
 01:06:58.625 --> 01:07:00.291
 Yes, but I\'m coming.
 
 01:07:03.333 --> 01:07:04.041
 I don\'t know.
 
 01:07:04.041 --> 01:07:04.875
 Maybe she went for a walk.
 
 01:07:04.875 --> 01:07:06.375
 She\'ll be back.
 
 01:10:02.291 --> 01:10:03.291
 Niki?
 
 01:10:12.000 --> 01:10:13.000
 Niki?
 
 01:10:45.333 --> 01:10:46.375
 Niki,
 
 01:11:18.416 --> 01:11:20.708
 [laughter]
 
 01:12:23.750 --> 01:12:25.625
 [phone rings]
 
 01:12:30.458 --> 01:12:31.458
 Hey.
 
 01:13:32.125 --> 01:13:33.125
 [sighs]
 
 01:13:37.791 --> 01:13:43.208
 [music]
 
 01:13:54.333 --> 01:13:56.000
 [door knock]
 
 01:14:07.625 --> 01:14:08.666
 Niki?
 
 01:14:54.458 --> 01:14:55.625
 Whoa.
 
 01:15:12.166 --> 01:15:18.500
 [heavy breathing]
 
 01:15:55.583 --> 01:15:57.166
 [laughter]
 
 01:16:14.833 --> 01:16:17.083
 [running water]
 
 01:17:04.541 --> 01:17:07.333
 [breaths heavily]
 
 01:17:07.375 --> 01:17:08.833
 [slaps]
 
 01:18:03.333 --> 01:18:04.708
 Harry,
 
 01:18:06.500 --> 01:18:07.833
 Fuck.
 
 01:18:08.958 --> 01:18:10.125
 Let\'s just sleep.
 
 01:18:10.125 --> 01:18:11.875
 I mean, it\'s 2:00 AM.
 
 01:18:17.375 --> 01:18:19.041
 What\'s happening?
 
 01:18:20.000 --> 01:18:21.916
 What do you want, Niki?
 
 01:18:29.916 --> 01:18:31.333
 You\'re fine.
 
 01:18:33.375 --> 01:18:34.083
 No.
 
 01:18:34.083 --> 01:18:35.875
 You\'re strong, yes.
 
 01:18:39.166 --> 01:18:40.666
 You\'re working.
 
 01:18:44.875 --> 01:18:46.583
 You\'re going to figure it out.
 
 01:18:46.583 --> 01:18:47.708
 Okay?
 
 01:18:50.083 --> 01:18:52.125
 I need you, Harry.
 
 01:18:52.958 --> 01:18:55.708
 I\'m a little lost, too.
 
 01:18:56.875 --> 01:18:59.166
 I\'m trying to live
 without you right now.
 
 01:18:59.166 --> 01:19:00.833
 I hope I can do it.
 
 01:19:02.500 --> 01:19:04.416
 I miss the kids, too.
 
 01:19:09.458 --> 01:19:11.791
 I miss you very, very, much.
 
 01:19:30.250 --> 01:19:30.958
 No, please.
 
 01:19:30.958 --> 01:19:33.625
 Please, please, just don\'t-- No.
 
 01:20:51.041 --> 01:20:55.625
 [music]
 
 01:23:50.083 --> 01:23:53.958
 [laughter]
 
 01:24:45.375 --> 01:24:48.541
 [gasping]
 
 01:25:54.375 --> 01:25:59.541
 [music]
 
 01:26:49.333 --> 01:26:50.458
 [spits]
 
 01:27:07.291 --> 01:27:14.041
 [screams]
 
 01:27:20.833 --> 01:27:25.916
 [breaths heavily]
 
 01:27:57.250 --> 01:28:03.500
 [laughs hysterically]
 
 01:30:28.416 --> 01:30:35.416
 [music]
 
 01:30:59.083 --> 01:31:00.791
 [laughs]
 
 01:31:13.958 --> 01:31:16.041
 [laughs]
 
 01:32:33.375 --> 01:32:40.375
 [laughter]
 
 01:33:10.791 --> 01:33:13.041
 [music]
 
 01:33:13.416 --> 01:33:17.916
 ♪ I wish I knew how ♪
 
 01:33:18.333 --> 01:33:22.250
 ♪ It would feel to be free ♪
 
 01:33:23.916 --> 01:33:26.291
 ♪ I wish I could break ♪
 
 01:33:27.250 --> 01:33:31.625
 ♪ All the chains holdin\' me ♪
 
 01:33:32.833 --> 01:33:36.250
 ♪ I wish I could say ♪
 
 01:33:36.666 --> 01:33:40.208
 ♪ All the things that I should say ♪
 
 01:33:40.875 --> 01:33:44.541
 ♪ Say them loud, say them clear ♪
 
 01:33:46.000 --> 01:33:50.833
 ♪ For the whole round world to hear ♪
 
 01:33:52.416 --> 01:33:55.250
 ♪ I wish I could share ♪
 
 01:33:55.750 --> 01:33:59.958
 ♪ All the love that\'s in my heart ♪
 
 01:34:01.250 --> 01:34:04.291
 ♪ Remove all the bars ♪
 
 01:34:05.250 --> 01:34:08.166
 ♪ That keep us apart ♪
 
 01:34:10.375 --> 01:34:13.000
 ♪ I wish I could know ♪
 
 01:34:13.541 --> 01:34:17.958
 ♪ What it means to be me ♪
 
 01:34:18.458 --> 01:34:21.958
 ♪ Then you\'d see and agree ♪
 
 01:34:21.958 --> 01:34:27.625
 ♪ That every woman should be free ♪
 
 01:34:29.166 --> 01:34:32.833
 ♪ I wish I could give ♪
 
 01:34:32.833 --> 01:34:36.875
 ♪ All I\'m longing to give ♪
 
 01:34:38.041 --> 01:34:41.666
 ♪ I wish I could live ♪
 
 01:34:42.750 --> 01:34:45.958
 ♪ Like I\'m longing to live ♪
 
 01:34:46.291 --> 01:34:49.500
 ♪ I wish I could do ♪
 
 01:34:49.500 --> 01:34:54.791
 ♪ All the things that I can do ♪
 
 01:34:55.958 --> 01:34:59.708
 ♪ Though I\'m way overdue ♪
 
 01:35:01.208 --> 01:35:04.208
 ♪ I\'d be startin\' anew ♪
 
 01:35:04.791 --> 01:35:09.291
 ♪ Well, I wish I could be ♪
 
 01:35:09.583 --> 01:35:14.583
 ♪ Like a bird in the sky ♪
 
 01:35:15.208 --> 01:35:18.958
 ♪ How sweet it would be ♪
 
 01:35:19.500 --> 01:35:22.333
 ♪ If I found I could fly ♪
 
 01:35:22.333 --> 01:35:28.208
 ♪ Oh, I would soar to the sun ♪
 
 01:35:28.750 --> 01:35:33.041
 ♪ And look down at the sea ♪
 
 01:35:34.375 --> 01:35:38.125
 ♪ Then I\'d sing \'cause I\'d know, ♪
 
 01:35:38.458 --> 01:35:41.375
 ♪ What it means to be free ♪
 
 01:35:42.416 --> 01:35:46.875
 ♪ Yes, I\'d sing because I know, ♪
 
 01:35:47.166 --> 01:35:54.041
 ♪ What it means to be free ♪
 
 01:35:59.208 --> 01:36:04.833
 ♪ Free ♪
 
 01:36:06.583 --> 01:36:13.583
 [music]
 
	 
		 
		