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How an Argentine Novel Became a Cannes Sensation
Argentinian author Ariana Harwicz’s debut novel, Matate, amor, has made an incredible journey from a small Argentine press to the international spotlight at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. The movie adaptation, titled Die, My Love, directed by Lynne Ramsay and starring Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson, received an impressive nine-minute standing ovation at its premiere, signaling a powerful reception for this intense exploration of motherhood and mental health.
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Published in 2012, Matate, amor is the first book in Harwicz’s ‘Passion Trilogy,’ followed by La débil mental (2014) and Precoz (2015). The novel offers a raw, first-person account of a woman battling postpartum depression and psychosis in rural France. Its intense language breaks down traditional views of motherhood, exploring themes of desire, violence, and existential despair.
Since 2007, Harwicz has been living in the French countryside. Her novel gained international attention after its English translation, Die, My Love, was longlisted for the 2018 Man Booker International Prize, a prestigious award recognizing the best translated works of fiction. The book’s stark portrayal of maternal mental health struck a chord with readers around the globe, leading to its adaptation into a stage play in Argentina, directed by Marilú Marini and starring Érica Rivas, and eventually catching the eye of Hollywood.
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The movie adaptation got started when Martin Scorsese, captivated by the novel’s intensity, decided to produce it. Jennifer Lawrence, moved by the story’s raw take on motherhood, took on the lead role and co-produced the movie through her company, Excellent Cadaver. Lynne Ramsay, known for her work on ‘We Need to Talk About Kevin,’ directed the movie, bringing her distinctive style to this haunting narrative.
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In the movie, Lawrence portrays Grace, a woman whose descent into madness is both harrowing and poignant. Pattinson plays her husband, Jackson, navigating the complexities of a relationship strained by mental illness. The movie’s unflinching examination of postpartum depression and its impact on family dynamics has been praised for its authenticity and emotional depth.
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Ariana arrived in Cannes on Friday. It wasn’t too long of a trip since the author has been living in France for several years. She attended the red carpet event, and that’s where, at the festival premiere, she saw the movie for the first time. There were mixed reviews and generous praise for Jennifer Lawrence’s performance in the initial verdict from critics after the worldwide premiere.
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The adaptation of Harwicz’s novel doesn’t have a release date for theaters yet. Currently, “Die, My Love” is among 20 other movies awaiting the jury’s decision to find out who will win the Palme d’Or, which will be announced on Saturday, the 24th.
Die, My Love stands as a testament to the power of literature to transcend cultural boundaries and resonate on a universal level. Harwicz’s relentless exploration of the darker aspects of motherhood challenges audiences to confront uncomfortable truths, making both the novel and its movie adaptation significant contributions to contemporary discussions on mental health and gender roles.
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