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Performances are terrific, adding real-world edge to the satirical tone. Utgoff has a matter-of-fact serenity that makes it easy to understand why everyone's drawn to him. No one bothers to notice his own lonely nostalgic longings; each of his clients has his or her own complicated life. The actors are terrific at digging into the roles, finding cynicism, emotion and pain in unexpected corners. As usual, the radiant Kulesza is a standout as the fiery but exhausted Ewa.

It's fascinating to see the quiet effect this young man has on people distracted by their business, and how they spark something in him as well. The film quickly gets under the skin with its visual and tonal quality, then surprises us as the story unfolds, shifts and begins to reveal its offbeat secrets in fantastical cutaways. It's a fiendishly clever exploration of how modern society has corrupted our ability to be truly satisfied. And in the end, this movie makes us wish we had someone like Zhenia to help us find our happy place.

themes, language, sexuality

9.Oct.20 lff

Both Phat and Isaac have terrific presence on-screen, offering subtle touches that make their characters fascinating, deftly avoiding stereotypes. Isaac (a member of a boyband) also gets to perform some elaborate Cai Luong numbers. The script sets them on pointed parallel journeys: Dung taps into his artistic soul, while Phung finds the real-life experience he needs to emote on-stage. Complicating things, Dung has an angry girlfriend (Tu) and Phung is being set up with his leading lady (Quyen).

With its operatic touches and lush production design, this film often feels almost fantastical. Character interaction is through philosophical dialog and yearning glances, while Le deliberately hedges away from depicting sex. The closest Dung and Phung get to touching is playing Nintendo together, but their attraction is still powerfully felt. And while the film's final act stretches their emotional frustration to the breaking point, where the story ends up is elegantly staged, poignant and moving.

themes, language, violence

8.Oct.20

Always watchable, Suliman digs deep with this performance, adding complexity to each scene. Engaging and expressive, he's a terrific actor who's able to bring the audience with him into even the most difficult situation, while generating superb chemistry with everyone around him. The supporting characters aren't quite as layered, but each offers a sharp perspective, including Zreik's frazzled Salwa and Bakri as Mustafa's matter-of-fact mother. As his travel companions, Eita, Malhees and Underberger bring intriguing textures, even if their roles are much more pointed.

Each of the film's checkpoint sequences is remarkably well-staged, fraught with tension that feels eerily common, which doesn't make it any less terrifying. Nayfeh packs a lot of personal anger into this story, exploring a range of insults that Palestinian people are forced to endure simply to get through the day. So even if the film feels somewhat constructed, it's hugely involving and ultimately moving as it makes a silent plea on behalf of young people whose futures are being discarded.

themes, language, violence

8.Oct.20 lff