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Kang has terrific presence as a thoughtful young man who doesn't feel the need to prove anything, quietly doing the best he can do while trying to avoid confrontation. Kang and the sparky-smiley Hong have an easy chemistry that makes the relationship warm and affectionate. The women have more difficult roles, especially Lee as the complicated Eun-young tries to amend for her past mistakes without creating new ones. And Ki beautifully portrays Moon-kyeong's yearning amid the pressures of her daily life.

Park skilfully navigates a situation in which what the characters neglect to voice to each other is as important as what they do say. As the narrative continues, it takes sometimes startling turns that bring out intensely resonant deeper emotions. This includes some properly heart-rending confrontations and one scary sequence. And what emerges is a soulful plea for an idyllic escape from the harsh realities of the world. And also the realisation that running away never solves a problem.

themes, violence

23.Mar.22 flare

Each actress is terrific at revealing the internal thoughts of her character. Milonoff manages to keep the hotheaded Mimmi likeable, helping us understand the churning internal turmoil that fuels her harsh actions. Leino captures Emma's enormous sense of longing as she tries to balance personal and professional ambitions. And Kauhanen steals the show as the lively Ronkko, opening each conversation with an inappropriate jaw-dropper comment while also revealing her humour, kindness and curiosity.

Small but perfectly formed, this film effortlessly tackles huge topics in ways that we hardly notice. And because it never falls back on the usual plotting cliches, it remains surprising and involving as it explores powerfully personal issues that are rarely, if ever, depicted on-screen. These three young women are far more mainstream than they seem to be, growing up in a world where their identities aren't proscribed or marginalised. So watching them discover who they really are feels organic and even inspiring.

themes, language, sexuality

16.Mar.22 flare

Striks is excellent as Erez, a complex character whose internal gyrations are always at odds with each other. Is he in love with Nevo or deliberately messing with him to gain an advantage? It's rare for a protagonist to be likeable and conniving at the same time, and Striks is especially riveting in charged scenes opposite Jonas and Reznik, as well as Wasserman as Erez's demanding father. Meanwhile, Kucher is superb in somewhat distracting scenes as an ex-gymnast who manages the swimming institute.

Kalderon's deliberately elusive narrative approach is boldly provocative and perhaps a bit uneven. As it unfolds, the story seems to focus more on Dima's irrational coaching than Erez's much more engaging internal journey. Because everything remains so unspoken, the film never quite becomes the gay odyssey it seems so carefully designed to be. But it's still a bracingly clever celebration of youthful physicality and the enormous demands of competing with the best in the world. And a rather wacky surreal blast of choreography in the climactic moment adds a wonderful final flourish.

themes, language, sexuality

19.Mar.22 flare