North American Premiere
TIFF Talent Lab and Cannes Cinéfondation alumna Sara Kern makes a stirring debut with this touching portrait of a family in mourning, centering on 10-year-old Moja, who takes it upon herself to pick up the pieces of her broken family after the sudden loss of their mother.
The filmmaker employs a distinctly soft lens in her poignant interrogation of maternal instinct and female empathy, operating in the insular world of a wounded yet resourceful young girl who finds comfort in taking care of everyone around her. This is further highlighted by the film’s thoughtful use of interior settings, and the way these spaces inform the characters’ sense of sanctuary and emotional armour. Anchored in the deeply affecting performance by the young Loti Kovačič, the film gently peels off layers of trauma embedded in the fractured family routine, while expertly harnessing the sense of cultural dichotomy in its portrayal of shifting family dynamics.
Presented by
Loti Kovačič, Mackenzie Mazur, Gregor Baković, Claudia Karvan
Australia/Slovenia
2022
In English and Slovene with English subtitles
Coarse language
Open to youth!
Book Tickets
Missing VIFF? Check out what's playing at the VIFF Centre
The Secret in Their Eyes
This month's Talking Pictures screening is a multi-layered, poignant thriller interweaving the personal lives of a prosecution investigator (Ricardo Darin) and a judge, with a manhunt spanning twenty-five years. Stay for cookies, coffee and a chat after!
American Doctor
One of the most powerful documentaries of the year, this puts us smack in the open wound that is Gaza, filtered through the eyes of three American surgeons (of Palestinian, Jewish and Zoroastrian backgrounds) compelled to do their utmost to alleviate harm.
Credits
Producer
Gal Greenspan, Rok Bicek, Sharlene George
Screenwriter
Sara Kern
Cinematography
Lev Predan Kowarski
Editor
Haim Tabakman, Hayley Miro Browne
Production Design
Maddison Haywood
Director
Sara Kern
Sara Kern is a Slovenian-Australian writer and director. She graduated in film directing from the University of Ljubljana’s Academy of Theatre, Film, Radio, and Television in 2013. Kern worked as a screenwriter for the Slovenian National Television’s Children and Youth Program for several years before moving to Australia. Her 2016 short Good Luck Orlo premiered at the 73rd Venice Film Festival and went on to screen at the Toronto, Chicago, and Seattle International Film Festivals.