On this page: BOTH SIDES OF THE BLADE | BUTTERFLY VISION | PAMFIR

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Binoche and Lindon reveal the messy internal lives of Sara and Jean, creating a vivid sense of chemistry between them along with a clear-eyed honesty due to events they have weathered over the years. So it seems impossible that Francois could cause a rift between them. Calm and cool, Colin's Francois enters the film slowly, observed from a distance until he cracks into both Sara's and Jean's inner thoughts. Whether or not he's a deliberate provocateur is irrelevant: he rattles both of them deeply.

Scenes unfold with an often staggering realism, shifting back and forth as the characters address issues from their own perspectives. This gives many of the dramatic scenes a proper intensity that gets deep under the skin, mainly because we can understand each person's point of view. As a result, even the most painful encounters have an almost exhilarating quality to them. And the way the film unpicks the layers and unpredictable repercussions of love is staggering.

themes, language, sexuality

26.Jul.22

Wounded and stoic with a grey streak in her cropped hair, Burkovska beautifully underplays Lilia's inner turmoil, quietly drifting through scenes but always on-edge. Her interaction feels offhanded, but quickly becomes jumpy, revealing that home is no longer a safe space. This is especially apparent as she notices prejudice all around her. Valivots finds a strong balance between Tokha's sensitivity toward Lilia and the hot-headed tendencies that see him go on trial after his private militia launches in a racist attack.

While the film feels blunt in its approach, it's actually a deeply layered look at a society in crisis, under attack both from within and from outside. This is perhaps most vivid as Tokha watches Russian propaganda YouTube videos that vilify both him and Lilia. And there is a string of thumbs-up when he streams his group's raid on a Roma encampment. Where this story goes is often harrowing, repeatedly questioning ideas of patriotism and warped social values that sideline individual feelings.

themes, language, violence

18.Aug.22

Each actor is magnetic, revealing a fully realised internal life. Wry humour runs through most scenes, adding to the emotion while building intensity. Yatsentyuk brings likeable swagger to Pamfir, even when this confidence puts him in danger. And he has an electric connection with his family. Kyrylova adds a fiery honesty to Olena, while Potiak gives Nazar an amusingly stubborn intelligence and Sharan's Victor has some surprises of his own. All of them have heart-stopping moments, as do several smaller side characters who pop up along the way.

In this culture, it's impossible to survive without breaking a few laws here and there, and the cops are complicit in everything. Along with this matter-of-fact dodginess, the film reflects the strong male gaze of this society, particularly in a sex scene. Sukholytkyy-Sobchuk has a wonderfully astute eye, infusing scenes with colour and offbeat intrigue, building a harrowing sense of menace while never over-egging the violence. And most importantly, he never loses track of the involving, remarkably layered family drama at the centre of the story.

themes, language, violence, sexuality

16.Aug.22