World Premiere
On a clandestine date, a 40-something woman battling with her identity embarks on a journey of rediscovery that she cannot ignore nor fully encompass. This is a wonderful two-hander about courage and suppressed lesbian desire, a night to explore this other sexual orientation kept hidden for many years. It’s a thought-provoking story about life-changing choices as the characters unravel themselves, enhanced by incredibly strong writing that gives the actors a stage to shine on, and a complex lead performance which is where most of the dynamic and focus is. The film beautifully captures her conflicted state as her unhappy current life collides with the possibilities of the future.
Community Partner
Michelle Darkin Price, Adaya Henry, Daniel Poppitt
UK
2022
English
Featured in:
International Shorts: Connect/Disconnect/Reconnect
The films in this shorts program are all about connections. People connecting with one another, dealing with change, or rediscovering a part of themselves and their past.
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Holdovers
Destined to become a seasonal staple, this bittersweet comedy reunites Sideways director and star Alexander Payne and Paul Giamatti in the portrait of a surly classics teacher forced to babysit five "orphans" at boarding school over the holidays.
Who by Fire
Jeff, a 17-year-old aspiring filmmaker, goes on vacation with his friend Max and his family to an isolated lodge. Philippe Lesage’s film is a tense, mesmerizing tour de force that is both agonizing and cathartic. A Berlinale award winner.
Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl
Aardman Animation's handcrafted mix of dad jokes, slapstick, mock dramatics and understated emotion makes this return for the claymation odd couple a constant delight. The villainous Feathers McGraw is back to no good, commandeering Norbot the robot. Rated: G
Gremlins (40th Anniversary)
The perfect last minute Xmas gift: give your special someone a cute ball of fur and don't worry about where it came from. Just don't put it under bright lights, don't get it wet, and whatever you do, please, please don't feed it after midnight... Rated: PG
Image: © 1984 WBEI
The Count of Monte Cristo
You can't beat this evergreen Alexandre Dumas tale for adventure, intrigue and romance. This lavish French blockbuster from the writers of the recent Three Musketeers movies pulls you in from the first scene and doesn't let off for the next three hours. Rated: PG
Credits
Executive Producer
Alexzandra Jackson
Producer
Charlie Clarke, Katie Smith
Screenwriter
Tommy Draper, Z. Igbe
Cinematography
Luke J. Collins
Editor
Emmalie El Fadli
Production Design
Danni Ebanks-Ingram
Original Music
Joni Fuller
Director
Sophie Black
Sophie Black has directed nine award-winning short films, including Night Owls (2016), which premiered at London Short Film Festival, and Songbird (2018). She was part of the BFI NETWORK x BAFTA Crew in both 2018 and 2019, and is a member of Directors UK. Black is also the founder of Triskelle Pictures, with credits including Stop/Eject (2014), which premiered at Raindance Film Festival before being longlisted for Best British Short Film at the 2015 BAFTAs.