Pieces of a Woman

About Pieces of a Woman

Pieces of a Woman is a 2020 drama film directed by Kornél Mundruczó and written by Kata Wéber. The film stars Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf, Ellen Burstyn, Molly Parker, Sarah Snook, Iliza Shlesinger, Benny Safdie, and Jimmie Fails.

Explore

• About
• Making / Production
• Actors
• Trivia / Interesting Facts
• Awards
• Quotes
• Music
• Soundtrack

About

Pieces of a Woman revolves around Martha (Vanessa Kirby) and Sean (Shia LaBeouf), a couple eagerly awaiting the birth of their child. However, their home birth goes tragically wrong, and Martha has to cope with the loss while also dealing with the impact it has on her relationships with her husband, mother (Ellen Burstyn), and the midwife (Molly Parker) involved in the birth.

The film explores themes of grief, guilt, and the complexities of familial relationships. It delves into the emotional journeys of the characters as they navigate the aftermath of the tragic event.

Making / Production

Pieces of a Woman was produced by Pamela Koffler, Sam Levinson, Aaron Ryder, and Ashley Levinson. It was officially announced in 2019 and was shot on location in Montreal, Canada. The film was noted for its use of long takes and intense performances.

Actors

• Vanessa Kirby as Martha - Kirby delivers a powerful performance as a woman grappling with grief and the trauma of losing her child.
• Shia LaBeouf as Sean - LaBeouf portrays Martha's partner, who also struggles to cope with the tragedy and tries to support her through it.
• Ellen Burstyn as Elizabeth - Burstyn plays Martha's domineering mother, who has her own way of dealing with the loss.
• Molly Parker as Eva - Parker takes on the role of the midwife who attended the ill-fated home birth.
• Sarah Snook as Suzanne - Snook portrays Martha's cousin, providing a contrast to her character's journey.
• Iliza Shlesinger as Anita - Shlesinger plays a friend of Martha who provides comedic relief.
• Benny Safdie as Chris - Safdie takes on the role of Sean's brother, who supports him during the difficult times.
• Jimmie Fails as Max - Fails plays Martha's friend, providing a comforting presence.

Trivia / Interesting Facts

• The film is loosely based on the personal experiences of the writer, Kata Wéber, who went through a similar loss.
• Vanessa Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress for her performance at the 77th Venice International Film Festival.
• Director Kornél Mundruczó is known for his previous collaboration with Kata Wéber on the film "White God" (2014).
• Shia LaBeouf and Vanessa Kirby underwent intense preparation for their roles, including consulting with women who had experienced home births and attending birthing classes.

Awards

Pieces of a Woman received critical acclaim and garnered several award nominations. Vanessa Kirby won the Volpi Cup for Best Actress at the 77th Venice International Film Festival. The film also received nominations at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTA), Golden Globe Awards, and Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Quotes

• "You're not alone." - Sean
• "There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about what happened." - Martha
• "Everyone grieves differently." - Elizabeth
• "I don't think I can ever have a relationship with another woman again." - Martha

Music

The original score for Pieces of a Woman was composed by Howard Shore. The music plays an integral role in capturing the emotional landscapes of the characters.

Soundtrack

• "Together" by Guesch Patti
• "Die Gedanken sind frei" by The Lost Fingers
• "Traumerei Op.15 No.7" by Robert Schumann, performed by Alfred Brendel
• "Piano Concerto No.2 in C minor" by Sergei Rachmaninoff, performed by London Symphony Orchestra
• "Five Pieces for Piano, Op.3" by Sergei Rachmaninoff