On this page: BABYSTAR | A BIT OF LIGHT | LOVERS IN THE BLUE NIGHT

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Bons subtly brings out textures in Luca, who looks happy in pictures and videos, but is actually mopey, thoughtful and insecure. She has featured on her parents' feed since she was a foetus, so her entire personal history is on the internet. Her panicky moments are deeply chilling to watch. By contrast, Brocks and Lewald are almost unnervingly controlled as her parents. The actors offer glimpses of real emotions, even if Stella and Chris only play them up for camera.

For this family, only what they see through online is real, so this is how they judge their appearance, their food, their holidays, everything. While the point can't help but be on-the-nose, the film makes several intriguing observations along the way. Most interesting is the exploration of how everyone in the world wants to be special, but shining on social media is only an illusion of exceptionalism. Where this story goes is clever and provocative, as the film quietly whispers its bleak truth.

themes, language

26.Aug.26

Performances have a lively, understated quality that emphasises both a wry sense of humour and emotions just under the surface. Zareh is often silent as Arash reacts to people telling him what they think, and his expressive eyes reveal a powerful mix of concern, resolution, love and fear. He is flatly horrified by what he has witnessed in his country, something so terrible that his account of it shakes us deeply. We can understand why he can't bear to see any more of this.

Surrounded by his siblings and their mother, Arash struggles to hold his ground. Because his entire society has told him that compassion and healing are impossible, he sees no other way forward. And he knows that if he wants to keep helping people, he will have to do so on the wrong side of the law. So his family gives him a surprising glimmer of hope for the future, maybe only a little bit, and just for another day.

strong themes

10.Sep.26 vff

Performances are earthy and understated, finding moments of humour and raw emotion throughout the story. Pilania is magnetic as the thoughtful Karim, who rarely speaks but has a story to tell. His connections with both Sharma's hopeful Ameena and Shimpi's blustery Sukka are complex and vivid, with big feelings that build as the situation becomes more complicated. Realities intrude on these relationships in ways that are darkly moving. And Sarin's warm-hearted Omi has no idea what he's wandered into.

It's easy to identify with these people who are struggling to get ahead in a society that keeps them in the margins. Each of them has dreams of a better life, and especially a more honest one. But various everyday pressures continually prevent them from being themselves, which makes it very difficult to feel alive. So the film becomes a gentle reminder to pay attention to what others are going through, and that sometimes rules must be broken.

themes, language

31.Aug.26