Behind the Pose

Behind the Pose follows Masha (Ksena Samborska), a teenage Eastern European model on the brink of losing her contract. She must redeem herself in one last photoshoot while being pushed to the edge by her teacher, Katerina (Natalia Volk), under threat of sexual exploitation and deportation. The piece tackles mature themes of power and exploitation, serving as a scathing indictment of the fashion and modelling industry and its abuse of power with young female talent.

 

Behind the Pose opens with beautiful, surreal photography that feels heavily influenced by Sofia Coppola’s filmography, as the camerawork is haunting and melancholic. Focusing entirely on the female experience, it is a powerfully nuanced way to shoot the actors with a plethora of extreme close-ups lingering on Masha as she feels her youth being ripped away from her. Daniel Cho’s cinematography is one of the substantial standouts of the piece as it primarily anchors the material and never feels intrusive. The pacing feels urgent, and the propulsive dialogue exchanges feel overwhelming to witness as a viewer, due to the central conflict that consistently leaves you on the edge of your seat, fearing for Masha’s future. While the runtime is extremely sparse, the film's engaging and evocative material never fails to hook you in and get under your skin. It's a daring character study that subtly draws you into Masha’s journey and doesn't let up until the credits roll.

 

The performances are terrific, particularly Ksena Samborska’s portrayal of Masha, who conveys a profound sense of vulnerability despite the restricted runtime. It's the type of performance that sticks with you, thanks to her expression of the pain and manipulation she endures through her facial expressions alone. The supporting cast, including Natalia Volk and Rick Irwin in his portrayal of Freddy the photographer, is also unforgettable in their limited screentime. One of the most striking aspects of the film is Masha and Freddy’s relationship, which starts as something endearing, thanks to their absorbing chemistry, then slowly descends into something much more sinister. The narrative is profoundly nail-biting and unpredictable, and would not have worked as well without the cast's commitment to their performances. While it is a tough viewing due to the mature themes it depicts, these are essential topics and a glimpse into the world of the fashion and modelling industry.

 

The director/writer Sally Lomidze clearly has a keen eye for the suitable way to depict the topics of body image, as the film feels understated in its direction and never exploitative of Masha’s characterisation. The conclusion doesn't convey much closure to Masha’s further journey beyond the credits; however, perhaps that is the point, as the narrative is infused with ambiguity and the filmmakers evidently wanted to leave the viewer with something to chew on instead of a melodramatic conclusion.

 

Behind the Pose is a terrific film that exposes how disgusting the fashion and modelling industry can be, and how people in power can push younger female talent to the limit in order for them to achieve stardom. Elevated by an unforgettable performance from Ksena Samborska and Sally Lomidze’s formalism, the film is an insightful piece of filmmaking that evokes discussion regarding body standards and how unfairly women are picked apart in the industry.