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Aftersun film image, director Charlotte Wells

Aftersun

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The strong resemblance and stronger rapport between Calum (Paul Mescal), 30, and Sophie (Frankie Corio), his 11-year-old daughter, has them frequently mistaken for siblings. Away on a family-of-two vacation at a discount Turkish resort, the pair often conduct themselves like impish kids playing hooky. Prone to manic spells, Calum showers Sophie with affection and whatever else his meagre budget might allow. All of this in a desperate bid to stave off a depressive episode that looms like the Sword of Damocles.

In her astonishing feature debut, Charlotte Wells demonstrates a gentle touch but unwavering command of emotional complexities. As Sophie fumbles her way into adolescence and Calum teeters at the brink of psychological collapse, telling moments and revelatory gestures amass significance. Wells’ formal prowess is impressive as she interweaves her luminous 35mm compositions with digital video keepsakes shot by Sophie. As Aftersun builds to its deeply affecting finale, we’re reminded how life’s turning points often arrive without warning.

 

French Touch Prize of the Jury, Cannes Critics’ Week 2022

Director
Cast

Paul Mescal, Frankie Corio, Celia Rowlson-Hall

Credits
Country of Origin

UK/USA

Year

2022

Language

English

Film Contact
Links
18+
98 min
Award Winners Drama Women Directors

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Credits

Producer

Adele Romanski, Amy Jackson, Barry Jenkins, Mark Ceryak

Screenwriter

Charlotte Wells

Cinematography

Gregory Oke

Editor

Blair McClendon

Production Design

Billur Turan

Original Music

Oliver Coates

Director

Charlotte Wells headshot, Aftersun director

Charlotte Wells

Charlotte Wells is a Scottish filmmaker based in New York. She wrote and directed three short films as a student in the MBA/MFA dual degree program at NYU. Wells has been featured in Filmmaker Magazine’s 25 New Faces of Independent Film and was a fellow at the 2020 Sundance Institute’s Screenwriters and Directors Labs. Aftersun is her first feature.