Celine Scamma’s film was a huge deal in France, earning the director and screenwriter both the Queer Palme and the award for the screenwriting at the Cannes Film Festival. The film is now out in cinemas but many fans may want to watch it at home instead. If so, is that possible, and is it legal to download the movie at home?
To watch the movie, fans need to become members of Curzon cinemas, and go through the subscription process for Curzon Home Cinema.
From February 28, the film will be available on both the big screen at the little screen for subscribers.
For those without a subscription, however, the film can only be enjoyed at the cinema from its release date until it is released on DVD in the future, unless you decide to take up your subscription now.
Other than those who have legally obtained the film, such as Curzon Home Cinema, any website claiming to have the film for streaming or download is illegal.
The Digital Economy Act 2017 means people could now face ten-year prison sentences for illegally streaming copyrighted content.
To be sure you’re not watching copyrighted material, you should go direct to companies such as Curzon Home Cinema, according to FACT (Federation Against Copyright Theft).
Adding a further warning, CEO of FACT, Kieron Sharp said: “There are now more ways than ever for consumers to watch movies and TV but not going to legitimate sources to watch new movies is not a grey area: it is against the law.
“As well as being illegal, evidence shows that streaming pirated content is incredibly risky and can expose users to malware and inappropriate content.
“Not only does that deny the best viewing experience, it’s just not worth taking the chance.”
As a result, fans should head to their local cinema or get a subscription for Curzon Home Cinema to watch Portrait of a Lady on Fire.
What is the age rating for Portrait of a Lady on Fire?
**WARNING: Spoilers for Portrait of a Lady on Fire
The age rating for Portrait of a Lady on Fire is 15, meaning it is only suitable for those aged 15 in up to see in cinemas.
The ratings info on the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) website gives parents an insight on what to expect in the film, so they can guard their teenagers from things which might upset them.
The ratings info reads: “There is breast and buttock nudity, some of which occurs after two women have made love.
“There is a scene in which the two women are together and one of them massages a substance, which it is implied is an opiate, into the armpit of the other woman in an erotic manner.
“In a suggestive image, one woman’s naked pubic region is covered by a mirror in which the other woman gazes at her reflection. There is also pubic nudity in a non-sexualised context.
“There is a scene in which an abortion procedure is performed, but this is undetailed and carries a focus on the distress of the woman involved.
“There are also undetailed references to a suicide.”
Portrait of a Lady on Fire is out in cinemas now
