September & July

Fair warning, if you have mental illness or tend to serious depression, don't watch this!, it's another movie yes they seem to abound these days of mental illness of young women maybe even the mother is not quite right in the head to use layman's terms, anyway this story goes on and on and sure people are ostracized in school and bullied it happens every day and it's sad, what's more sad is children's reaction, I mean the ones who are feeling they don't fit in, is it possible today that many more children feel this way because it's become a thing to be?, I think there must be a better way to respond than acting out in less than sane ways, again, this is not a movie for people who are having trouble, it seems to legitimize it to me, is the mother helpful?, is she the cause of the lack of ability to cope?, is anyone at fault?, isn't there for sure a better way to resolve difficulties than The wackadoodle way?

Ariane Labed's debut feature isn't perfect when it comes to the writing and certain aspect choices, however, it's beautiful camerawork and really bizarre atmosphere really adds up an interesting tale about sisters, mental illness, and the strangeness surrounding the characters themselves.

Labed understands how to approach to tale with the weird themes, tone and direction style. Blending with some goofy, horror-like and dark absurd style that does work. Observing the characters and strange dialogue was pretty interesting, and each were provided with some really good performances from the cast members themselves. Alongside with the musical score, sound designs, and directing.

However, what does hold it back from being perfect is some of the writing elements as despite some good concepts, unfortunately some aspects are a bit cliche which does lead into some familiar roads without surprises. Including with a third act that may leave viewers starving for more than being satisfied.

Nevertheless, I believe Ariane Labed has the talent to make strange stories. I personally believe improve is needed for sure. Still a solid watch.

Attended the screening of September Says at Gothenburg Film Festival and was totally blown away, especially since the film program failed to describe the plot in an interesting way but I'm a huge fan of Greek Weird Wave so took the chance.

This film feels like a reincarnation of Dogtooth, the sisterhood in September Says feels like a direct continuation of the predecessor.

I just wish it was in Greek instead of English. It's quite intriguing with a setting in Ireland but would've been even more authentic if the sisters only spoke Greek while the rest could continue with English.

Overall a great gem!

Two sisters, September and July, are not your 'normal' kids. But what is normal anyway? It seems September has a hold over July, hence what September says, July has to follow. They are a two, and hence when one does something inexplicable, they both have to escape to Ireland with their mother. Mother herself has her own demons - how does she cope with her inexplicable children? The film is tense throughout but for the first hour, it's kinda conventional. And then September asks July to do something that we, the audience, are pleading NOOOOO! We realise that the September / July dynamic may not be what it seems.

September says - give this movie a chance, it is fabulous!