Listen

From the little girl spying the world through her own lens to the mother's despair for the loss of her children, this movie is both a look at one side of our complicated, sometimes messed-up society, and a cinematographic experience for a young director.

Keeping my expectations low, I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this. The director, Ana Rocha de Sousa, shows her ability to catch emotions from the right shot. I was moved by Lúcia Moniz's performance. I do wonder how accurate this story is to reality... I sure hope it isn't, but I'm not keeping my hopes up for that.

However, the movie is short, which it shows as the story comes to a resolution rather quickly. Too quickly for what we expect the reality of social services to be. All feels too simple for what is a very complicated process.

In any case, bravo.

A broken system like many British services that are supposed to help but end up harming more than helping. But hey, 'I understand. I know how you are feeling'. So typical.

The film has some issues getting out of the same place and developing the plot. It also doesn't conclude in a very positive way as the ending seems rushed and incomplete, not giving us the emotional impact it aimed to (we don't even see one of the children). Still, the acting is good, especially Lucia Moniz's, which is excellent, and the situation always keeps us engaged with a story that is infuriating but, unfortunately, based on real situations.

A couple of Portuguese emigrants from the London suburbs face serious problems when Social Services decide to take their children away.

Ana Rocha de Sousa cleared herself from the comparisons of her film with those of Ken Loach, one of my favorite British directors, who focuses mainly on social problems and discriminatory acts in the United Kingdom, but it is evident that the Portuguese director has in her first feature the "British style" present (she studied at London Film School), in her own way.

It is such a real and powerful drama that it is difficult (or impossible, say) not to feel uncomfortable and disturbed watching Listen, much because of the expressiveness and emotion that Lúcia Moniz (as Bela) conveys, in contrast with the silence and emotional pain showned by Rúben Garcia (as Jota).

The photography is very particular and interesting, out of the standard that we are used to in Portuguese films.

All the recognition given to this film is more than deserved.

A film that criticizes UK social services. Being poor is not a reason to take children away from their parents, but they should receive social support.

Story: 6*

Actors: 5*. There is the exception of Lúcia Moniz who carried the film on her shoulders. 8*

Photography: 4*

Music/Sound: 4*

Best part: courtroom scene.

Worst part: the end of the story was missing.

Costume Design/Makeup and Hairstyling: 7* Given the context of poverty. They did well. It can be seen that the film was made with a low budget, in all aspects.

Even so, it had everything to be a better film. 1 hour of film that was incomplete. At least it's only an hour.

Rating: 5/10.

It's a story of social issues that parents not fulfilling their responsibility and end up the fight between the custody and send out to someone whom qualify be a parents. I think the parents are not drug addicted and try their very best for their kids good, it's a grey area their kids been take out from their parents. Movie is good but this point I'm not convinced and seems not rationalize the whole story.