Vita and Virginia 2018 Movie

Thinking Task - Movie Screening - Vita and Virginia

   This blog is based on thinking activity task. In this blog we will consider some of the question regarding the movie. This movie is indirectly connected with the text which is there in our syllabus. 

  The movie 'Vita & Virginia' shows the real-life love story between writers Virginia Woolf and Vita Sackville-West. It's like a love letter to love, telling us how love can be captivating, fulfilling, and heartbreaking. The film, directed by Chanya Button, focuses on a small part of the women's lives in the 1920s, particularly their time in London's artistic scene. It covers the period when Sackville-West and Woolf met, fell in love, and eventually ended their relationship.

     1. Who do you think is initiating the relationship, Vita or Virginia ? 

    In the movie, Vita is fascinated by Virginia from the beginning. From the first frame, she is attracted towards her. Moreover, she puts in her possible efforts to meet her at Bloomsbury and watch her. Vita is first drawn to Virginia because she admires Virginia’s literary genius. While Leonard is reading Mrs Dalloway, Virginia distracts herself by walking in the greenhouse at Kew Gardens. Vita finds her there and tells Virginia, “When I read your work, I don’t know whether to be dejected or encouraged.” Virginia asks, “What do you mean?” Vita replies, “Dejected, because I shall never be able to write like that, or encouraged, because somebody else can.”

“She makes me feel as if language is miserably insufficient.”

 2. Who do you think is taking advantage of this relationship? 

    According to me, at first, Vita was an immensely popular writer at the time. Her works were becoming famous. On the other hand, Virginia, at a time, was not so famous and widely read. The first point revealed by the characters is that Vita was like a "candle" who gave light to everyone but could not to one. Maybe she is taking advantage of Virginia for her personal pleasure and mysterious double life. On the other hand, Virginia, by writing a biography on Vita, becomes a popular writer, so she could also. It's hard to give one view, but rather it depends on the way one sees.

   3. Who do you think is confused about their identity Vita or Virginia? Explain with illustrations.

  In the case of the movie, Virginia is more confused about her identity, while Vita boldly accepts her lesbian identity. Virginia is unsure about it.

For instance, in this frame, Virginia in the blue clothes with merging colors of white showcases her confusion in accepting her true identity. However, Vita in plain white clothes shows her accepted identity. With past experiences and hurdles, Virginia was not able to accept it; nevertheless, her surrounded people allowed her to overcome barriers of identity, including her husband.

Nonethless, by the climax Virginia accepted her true identity and allow herself openly to admit it. 

·    4. What is society’s thought about women and identity? Do you agree with them? If Yes then why? If no then why?

   Women's role in society is as important as that of men because 50% of the population is female. If we look at society's view towards women, there has been a long evolution. From the era of Aphra Behn, women started getting a place in the field of writing. In general, women are always considered as docile, submissive, all-rounders, and connected with doing household works and raising children.

   However, with time, women's roles have changed. They are making their position in society by contributing in various fields. Moreover, women got the right to vote in New Zealand, which marked an important event worldwide. The equal contribution of women in the workplace and decision-making has made them stronger.

    Over time, society is overcoming gender stereotypes and giving identity to women. The contribution of many people, including Virginia Woolf, who talked about "having a room of one's own" and "a handful of money," has played a role. Creating a strong individual identity has always been a hurdle for women, depending on the culture and space to which they belong. Additionally, women are creating their social standing and identity, but there are still miles to go in this journey.

    5.Write a note on your observations of the society during that era.

·       

  In the movie, the Bloomsbury group is portrayed as a bold and open-minded community that openly embraces lesbian-gay relationships and doesn't shy away from discussing sexual matters. Extra-marital affairs are normalized within the group, reflecting a progressive and unconventional attitude toward relationships. However, Vita's mother, Lady Sackville, stands as a stark contrast, resisting her daughter's radical ideas and threatening to separate her from her children. Despite Vita's significant fortune, societal norms restrict her inheritance due to her gender. She finds herself obligated to fulfill traditional wifely duties, meeting guests against her own desires.

  On the other hand, the open acceptance of Vita and Virginia's relationship highlights the essence of modernism within the Bloomsbury circle. Leonard, a loyal companion, proves himself faithful in navigating various situations. The group's collective suport is evident when they openly acknowledge and assist Virginia in coping with her mental health challenges. This cinematic portrayal underscores the tension between societal expectations and the Bloomsbury group's progressive values during that era.

     6.Write a note on the direction of the movie. Which symbols and space caught your attention while watching the movie?

In the beginning scene of the film, Virginia settles into her writing room and listens to Vita and Harold speaking on the radio about modern marriage.In the movie, Vita values being an independent woman, both in her personal life and marriage. Throughout the story, she supports Virginia and helps her to become stronger. Vita boosts Virginia's self-confidence and encourages her to explore the physical aspects of herself, which Virginia finds challenging. Vita's role in the film shows how she empowers and positively influences Virginia's growth.

In the movie, there are moments when Virginia's inner feelings of confusion or anxiety are shown through "plants" growing around her. The first time this happens is when Vita leaves after offering to publish Virginia's next book and invites her to travel. Vita's suggestion is flirtatious, given her reputation for traveling with her partners. She mentions, 

"You could look on it as copy. I believe you look on everything, on everyone, as copy." 

This idea of seeing experiences as material for writing becomes a point of disagreement in their relationship. Virginia is left speechless, and behind her, vines start growing on the hallway wall, with red and green ivy quickly climbing up the lamppost when Vita leaves. Vita's boldness makes something grow within Virginia, perhaps curiosity, admiration, or the first stirrings of desire.

Virginia realizes Vita cannot love just one person wholly. Virginia tells Vita she doesn't love her the same way anymore. In writing Orlando, Virginia delves into Vita, turning her into a fictional character to understand her better. Virginia describes Vita as "an exploding star refracting light across the universe" but realizes Vita cannot focus her light on one person, especially not on her. While fiction and reality blur in Orlando, the true nature of their relationship only becomes clear to Virginia after some time following the novel's completion.

    

   7.  "Vita and Virginia" had to be made into a Bollywood Adaptation, who do you think would be fit for the role of Vita and Virginia ? 

    For the role of Vita I prefered Tripti Dimri and for Virginia Disha Pattani.

     Thank You.

     References : 

Vaidehi Hariyani. “Movie Screening - "Vita and Virginia" by Chanya Button.” https://vaidehi09.blogspot.com/2022/01/movie-screening-vita-and-virginia-by.html. Accessed 8 February 2024.

Wong, Claire L. “An Analysis: Characterizing Love in ‘Vita & Virginia’, the Biopic Period Drama.” Hollywood Insider, 26 January 2021, https://www.hollywoodinsider.com/vita-and-virginia-love-review-lgbtq/. Accessed 8 February 2024.