By Roger Costa
MOST PEOPLE DIE ON SUNDAYS
Family memories come unexpectedly to surface through many concepts, a sound, a gesture, a taste, a view or resemblance, and also through smells. And the latest feels like the most personal fact among family- they know how their loved ones’ smell. As David arrives back in Buenos Aires, his sister notes that “you smell like mom”, and he replies, “I’m wearing her perfume”. This simple element in the narrative becomes a catchy phrase throughout the film’s actions, connecting its characters as they navigate loss and grieving.
David is there for his uncle’s funeral, but he carries inside a bigger heartache and sense of loss- he was dumped by his partner during a weekend getaway and is still trying to process that. Back home from his studies in Europe he sees himself unable to emotionally support his mother as she is morally confronted by the decision to turn off her comatose husband’s life support.
Argentinian Writer-Director Iair Said’s sophomore feature film is a delightful, quirky and tragically funny dark comedy that tackles difficult themes with originality and fresh sarcasm. Said accurately addresses relevant topics on sexuality, economic struggle, family boundaries, loneliness and traditions confirming his talent as a rising promising Latin American filmmaker. As the lead star, Said delivers a fine performance with perfect balance between the dark humor and reckless behavior to the depth of his character’s longing for overcoming and jammed existential crisis.
Nominated for the Queer Palm at last year’s Cannes, the film brings affecting and utterly entertaining performances from the entire cast, including veteran star Rita Cortese as Dora, the mother, Juliana Gattas as Silvia his sister, and the phenomenal Antonia Zegers as Elisa, his cousin.
A touching, efficient, funny and empathic portrait of family dynamics conducted by a Queer existentialist, this is among the freshest and most satisfying indie films of the year.
(Big World Pictures. Opens Friday May 2 at Quad Cinema, 34 West 13th Street NYC)
THE GULLSPANG MIRACLE
Directed by Maria Fredriksson this Tribeca-selected documentary explores the unlikely and almost supernatural story of two retired Norwegian sisters who miraculously buys a house from a woman who looks exactly like their deceased sister. As they investigate the strange case, family secrets are unburied while connecting their lives and shedding a light on humanitarian causes, societal injustice and the virtues of sisterhood. Sensitive, alarming and awkwardly funny, it is a captivating and emotionally charged documentary on the power of women’s intuition and determination.
(Film Movement. Available to watch at home starting May 2. Go to https://filmmovement.com/the-gullspaang-miracle for details)
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