Discovering an unusual, potentially invasive insect inside a peach, fruit packer Robin (Grace Glowicki) immediately reports it. When the powers that be refuse to take action, she goes public with her concerns and precipitates a widescale shutdown that threatens to devastate her Okanagan town. Branded a pariah and effectively exiled with her younger sister Laney (Alexandra Roberts), Robin must also deal with the complications of terminating an unwanted pregnancy. Meanwhile, the townsfolk are about to learn that nature won’t be denied.
Parallels and allegories abound as Sophie Jarvis’ psychological drama delves into the ills of this seemingly postcard-perfect community. Boasting a layered narrative and impeccable performances, Until Branches Bend is also suffused with the sensorial elements of an Okanagan summer: from the dusty cinematography to a sweltering atmosphere that leaves everyone on edge. What starts out as an intimate whistleblowing drama ultimately grows apocalyptic in scale, all while preserving the human story at its core.
March 24, 12:50 pm screening: Q&A with director Sophie Jarvis
March 25: Q&A with director Sophie Jarvis and producers Sara Blake and Tyler Hagan
Supported by
Zeb’s Spider
Sophie Jarvis also co-directed with Alicia Eisen a short stop-motion film, Zeb’s Spider, that’s screening at the Reel 2 Real Film Festival for Youth. Sunday, April 2 at 12:15 pm at the Roundhouse, and also available online March 28 – April 6 with a streaming pass to Reel 2 Real. Tickets & Info at Reel 2 Real.
Sophie Jarvis
Grace Glowicki, Alexandra Roberts, Quelemia Sparrow, Lochlyn Munro, Antoine DesRochers
Canada/Switzerland
2022
English
Best BC Film, VIFF 2022
Indigenous & Community Access
Credits
Producer
Tyler Hagan, Sara Blake, Magali Gillon-Krizaj, Michela Pini, Olga Lamontanara
Screenwriter
Sophie Jarvis
Cinematography
Jeremy Cox
Editor
Kane Stewart
Production Design
Charlie Hannah
Original Music
Kieran Jarvis
Also in This Series
Riceboy Sleeps
Raising her son Dong-hyun (Dohyun Noel Hwang, then Ethan Hwang) in Vancouver’s suburbs, So-young (Choi Seung-yoon), a South Korean immigrant, desperately wants to instill a sense of pride in the boy. Meanwhile, he just wants to fit in.
A Cedar Is Life
The cedar tree has always been central to First Nations cultural practice on the northwest coast. It is, you could say, foundational flora. A Cedar Is Life is an illuminating, passionate film which speaks to a defining aspect of this part of the world.
