Allen Sunshine

It's not often that a debut film feels this confident, but Harley delivers a truly impressive first feature that stands out in both style and substance. Set in a breathtaking location that feels like a character in itself, the film immerses you from the very first frame.

What struck me most was the maturity in storytelling which was subtle, well-paced, and emotionally grounded. You can tell a lot of care went into every detail, from the cinematography to the performances. The cast brought a quiet intensity that stayed with me long after the credits rolled.

This is more than just a promising start, it's a strong artistic statement. I can't wait to see what comes next from this filmmaker.

Very highly recommended.

Harley Chamandy's first feature hit me like a memory you don't want to let go of. It's about grief, but not in the loud, obvious way. The film sits in sunlight, in the texture of wood, in glances that linger longer than words. It moves slow, but that's the point you're asked to sit with it, not rush past it.

Vincent Leclerc carries the heart of the story. His performance isn't flashy, but that's what makes it stick. Around him, side characters drift in and out like echoes. Chamandy builds the world with small details the sound of a door, the silence between lines until you feel the weight of what isn't said more than what is.

Allen Sunshine feels like a throwback to when films trusted their audience to pay attention. It reminded me of Kelly Reichardt's patience and Spike Jonze's quiet comfort, but it's also its own thing, intimate, almost sacred in how it looks at loss.

In a time where movies are usually too loud, too fast, too desperate for your attention, this one asks you to slow down. And when it ends, you might not even know exactly what you felt. You just know it stays with you.

That's what real cinema does.

This film creates a place for grief and peace to exist and even create joy. This film is a very special place to visit. I've seen Allen Sunshine three times now and I want to give a shout out to the sonic experience of this film as well. It really is all around a film that takes care of my heart. Thank you, Allen Sunshine.

Allen Sunshine is a rare debut that feels both deeply personal and universally resonant. The film's compositions are meticulously balanced, every frame could be a painting, and yet it never feels contrived. Capturing the stillness of Canadian wilderness as both backdrop and metaphor. Wardrobe choices, subtle yet deliberate, and the depiction of Allen's experimental electronic music creation add a poetic texture to the film's mood. These artistic elements intertwine seamlessly, enhancing rather than distracting from the experience.

Harley demonstrates a remarkable visual confidence for a first feature, and it's no surprise that this film earned him the Werner Herzog Film Award in 2024. With Allen Sunshine, he announces himself as a bold new cinematic voice, one who could very well be the next big thing.

Allen Sunshine moves with quiet power, every frame composed like a painting in its color, texture, and symbolism. It follows Allen, a man grieving in the woods, searching for renewal through an experimental practice of turning nature's silence into sound. What he doesn't expect is that the friendship of two young boys becomes the true catalyst for his healing. Harley Chamandy brings it all together with a vision that is both tender and fearless, filled with beauty, pain, and transformation.