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.

A transcendental film that brings you through a meditative journey of grief, friendship and faith.

I love how light-hearted this film is, given its subject matter, while still maintaining a deep nuance of its tone and emotions.

The soundscape, in its use of electronic music and sounds of nature, is my favourite of the year and is very inspiring in how it combines and prioritized these elements to create its own unique world.

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.

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.

Allen Sunshine absolutely blew me away. It's such a heartfelt, beautifully made film - one of those rare movies where everything just clicks. Harley Chamandy did an incredible job bringing this story to life. It's seriously impressive how he pulled off so many tricky parts - amazing performances from the child actors, the dog actors, even big fireworks and boating scenes that can be so hard to get right - and he nailed all of it.

The whole movie feels real, emotional, and full of heart. Every shot, every moment feels intentional without ever feeling forced. You can tell how much care went into every detail. I'm already excited to see what Harley Chamandy does next. Allen Sunshine is a total must-watch.