Honeyjoon

Twenty-something Iranian-American June (Ayden Mayeri) is on holiday in the Azores, on a honeymoon package she’s sharing with her recently bereaved mom, Lela (Amira Casar). They’re trying to process their grief. But June is also very interested in hunky tour guide Joao (José Condessa), if her mother will get out of the way and stop talking about death and politics.

An attractive and amiable comedy pierced with gentle emotional truths, Honeyjoon has lots of fun with the differing agendas of mother and daughter, surrounded by amorous couples amidst the beautiful Portuguese scenery. Lilian T Mehrel’s feature debut has picked up Audience Awards at several film festivals and the Untold Stories Award at Tribeca.

In just 75 minutes, Lilian T. Mehrel’s debut feature Honeyjoon manages to make audiences laugh, cry, wince, and reflect. The film may be relatively short, but it’s packed with poignant lessons about learning to find joy as waves of sadness ebb and flow around you.

Ben Glidden, Film Threat

With heartfelt performances and breathtaking scenery, Honeyjoon is a quiet gem about family, grief, and finding connection where you least expect it.

Rachel West, That Shelf

Ambient melancholy and a dry, occasionally frisky, sense of humor […] These delicate mood shifts are the film’s strength… Honeyjoon is both a mourning movie, and a horny one.

Beatrice Loyola, New York Times