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.
Q&A Oct 2 & Oct 7
Presented by
Media Partner
Community Partner
Grace Glowicki, Alexandra Roberts, Quelemia Sparrow, Lochlyn Munro, Antoine DesRochers
Canada/Switzerland
2022
English
At Vancouver Playhouse
At The Rio
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
Another World
This hit anime from Hong Kong gives us an unpredictable, sometimes darkly karmic tale taking place on either side of the afterlife involving a headstrong princess with bad karma and the spirit guide who tries to help her get on a better path.
Everybody to Kenmure Street
This rousing documentary (100% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes) never puts a foot wrong as it recreates a tense, prolonged stand-off between the police and the citizens of Glasgow when an Immigration Enforcement squad attempt to arrest two men from their homes.
Thelma & Louise
In this iconic feminist road movie BFF Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon take off for a weekend getaway that turns violent when one of them is attacked. The stakes get higher as they flee the scene. Winner: Best Original Screenplay (Callie Khouri).
Boyz n the Hood
Twenty-three-year-old writer-director John Singleton's groundbreaking portrait of three young men growing up in South Central is a film of integrity and compassion. It's a far richer portrait of Black lives than Hollywood's gangsta exploitation pics.
Terminator 2: Judgment Day
In 2029, Earth has been ravaged by the war between the malevolent artificial intelligence Skynet and the human resistance. (Yep.) James Cameron's all too relevant action movie is in some ways unsurpassed. Linda Hamilton is the mom we all need right now.
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
Director
Sophie Jarvis
Sophie Jarvis’ first job in film was reading fan mail for The L Word. Later, she studied at Simon Fraser University and her short film, The Worst Day Ever (2012), had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival. Jarvis now works as a director, while living a double life as a production designer on a wide range of projects. Lately, she is immersed in the world of stop motion animation with the upcoming short film Zeb’s Spider, produced by the National Film Board of Canada.