Four O'Clock Flowers

This is a compelling and thoughtful film that illuminates the harder path of love and connection in the face of violence and division. It tells the story of two mothers, Anna and Maya, divided, but also connected by a crime in which one of their teenage sons - on the face of it - is a victim of the other. I understand it was written as a play, yet it moves to the screen effortlessly by intelligent use of set and location, underpinned by a sparse and haunting score. The dialogue is a superb exercise in the use of conflict to keep the viewer hooked, yet never feels imposing or forced.

The character of Anna is a detailed portrayal of a person coming apart at the seams, and is played with great passion and skill: through flashback the contrast of who she was before the tragedy compared with who she is after is stark, yet there's all the evidence of how Pre Anna would turn into Post Anna, and perhaps given time and love, turn back. The flashbacks of Anna and her son Joshua continue with the theme of division, their connection and simultaneous disconnection acting as a poignant vignette on the anguish of a mother letting go as her child matures.

Maya is also a very interesting character, played with great empathy and control: unlike Anna her anger appears to have been conquered, yet it is ever-present and perhaps more frightening for its repression; despite her religious faith and apparent composure Maya comes across as a dangerous character, her self-control tenuous, every bit as broken as Anna.

The use of shifting boundaries between Anna and Maya, their invasion and subsequent softening is a very clever way to show how humanity can triumph over suspicion, blame and hate. The concept and message of this film is a salve in troubled times.

Loved this vividly imagined independent short. Superb performances from the female leads who manage to convey incredible emotional depth. The script is intelligent, avoiding cliche and shining a light on this difficult and important subject. Lovely direction enhances the storytelling and the film features a beautiful score.

This was a self funded film but budget has not stopped this cast and crew from delivering emotional punches and beautiful, nuanced performances. It has done very well at festivals and really deserves a wider audience.

Looking forward to seeing what this talented bunch produce next.

A tender portrayal of two women dealing with grief. Current and thought provoking.

Great performances by all three of the cast and a sharp script and direction. I found most moving the growing relationship between the central characters as they tried to navigate through an unimaginable loss.

I particularly liked the fact that we were not told to advocate for any particular person but instead immerse in the complexity of the mothers situations and love of their sons. Loved the idea of time and the drama unfolding over 24 hours.

Beautiful score by Mari Sainio that enhances the story perfectly.