Before she died unexpectedly in 2002 at the age of 41, reportedly from complications of pneumonia and septicemia,Katrin Cartlidgecrafted an eccentric individual career for herself. Best known for her collaborations with Mike Leigh and Lars Von Trier, Cartlidge was “the greatest actor you’ve never heard of,” asThe Independentnoted.
She made her film debut in the British television soap operaBrookside(1982–1983). Her follow-up leading role in Leigh’sNaked(1993) showed Cartlidge’s depth and began afrequent collaboration with the director. For her role in Leigh’sCareer Girls(1997), Cartlidge won the Evening Standard Film Award for Best Actress. She also worked with the Danish director Lars Von Trier inBreaking The Waves(1996), the Macedonian film director Milcho Manchevski inBefore the Rain(1994), and other independent directors.
In the months before her death, Cartlidge was cast in Alejandro González Iñárritu’s powerful drama21 Gramsand Lars von Trier’s avant-garde masterpieceDogville. But unfortunately, everything stopped. Let’s look at the actress and her bold performances.
6Career Girls
Written and directed by British director Mike Leigh, 1997’s comedy-dramaCareer Girlstells the story of two women in their 30s, Hannah and Annie (played by Cartlidge and Lynda Steadman), who were college roommates six years ago and now renew their friendship. Touching, sensitive, and easy-going,Career Girlsis arguably one of the most underrated Leigh movies.
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Cartlidge performs two roles in one, a cheeky college student from the 1980s and a very different woman from the ‘present’ 1990s she grows up to be. The actress’ performance brings a lot of emotionality toCareer Girlsand helps to craft aportrait of friendshipand the passing of time.
5No Man’s Land
Set in the midst of the Bosnian War, Danis Tanović’s 2001 filmNo Man’s Landfollows Nino and Ciki (Rene Bitorajac and Branko Đurić), two soldiers from opposing sides in the armed conflict. One of thefinest films on the subject of war,No Man’s Landwon the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film and the Golden Globe Award for Best Foreign Language Film. InNo Man’s Land, Cartlidge steps into the role of Jane Livingstone, a cold, ambitious cable news reporter. While her role is small, Cartlidge did a brilliant job at bringing Jane to life.
4Before the Rain
Milcho Manchevski’s 1994 dramaBefore the Rainis a powerful, tragic, and unforgettable film about the director’s native Macedonia and Balkan state violence. Set against the background of political turbulence, the film tells three short stories of love and hate. Cartlidge is memorable in her portrayal of Anne, a photo editor from London, experiencing a complicated relationship with her Macedonian lover Aleksandar (Rade Serbedzija).
In the film, the first and third Macedonian sequences spill over into the London part, where a restaurant becomes the site of a devastating act of violence. It suggests that war is never as far as it seems.
3Claire Dolan
For Lodge Kerrigan’s 1998 dramaClaire Dolan, Cartlidge appears as the movie’s title character, an Irish immigrant who becomes a high-priced call girl in New York. This film is unlikeany romantic comediesabout prostitutes likePretty Woman, shattering the usual happy-go-lucky heart-of-gold narratives;Claire Dolanis a very real, sad, and bleak drama without a happy end. Cartlidge’s performance is Oscar-worthy. “We lost one of the most charismatic, talented, and intense actresses ever and this film proves it”, wrote one viewer onIMDb.
2Breaking The Waves
Winner of the Grand Prix at the 1996Cannes Film Festival, Lars von Trier’s psychological dramaBreaking The Wavesarouses a lot of emotions. The filmcenters on innocent young Bess (Emily Watson), who arrives at a bizarre arrangement with her paralyzed husband Jan (Stellan Skarsgård). Jan urges her to have sex with strangers and report back the details. Bess comes to believe that this is her spiritual mission guided by God. Cartlidge stars in a supporting role as Bess’ protective sister-in-law Dodo, who reassures Bess that her actions won’t affect Jan’s recovery. This disturbing film is not for everyone.
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“NakedandBreaking the Wavesare anchored by colossal performances by Thewlis and Watson, with Cartlidge providing understated ballast. Indeed, her supporting turns are so fundamental to the power of those films that you’re able to’t imagine them working as well without her”, The Independent stated.
Mike Leigh’s 1993 controversial filmNakedexplores a form of male self-destruction and centers on the gloomy drifter Johnny (one ofthe best David Thewlis performances), given to manic behavior. Cartlidge plays the druggie Sophie who has a one-night stand with Thewlis’ problematic protagonist.
“I think it’s wonderful that women can start playing characters with more than a couple of sides, some of them not pleasant”,The New York Timesquoted Cartlidge. “Audiences are not used to seeing characters like Sophie, who are not trying to get us to fall in love with them. But why do we always have to fall in love with our leading ladies? Why can’t we be just intrigued or puzzled or horrified or amused?”
Cartlidge’s offbeat roles intrigue, puzzle, horrify, and amuse. Just as she wanted.
