After their father's death two sisters reunite at their childhood home to uncover forgotten secrets and rip open old wounds.After their father's death two sisters reunite at their childhood home to uncover forgotten secrets and rip open old wounds.After their father's death two sisters reunite at their childhood home to uncover forgotten secrets and rip open old wounds.
- Directors
- Writers
- Stars
- Directors
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Featured reviews
Set against the hushed melancholy of the late 1950s, Day of a Lion presents itself as a chamber piece of familial estrangement, yet the Foscht twins, both behind and in front of the camera, elevate the premise into something far more unsettling and resonant. At its heart, the film follows two sisters forced to confront their late father's legacy, but it is the interplay of memory, silence, and suppressed recriminations that gives the narrative its taut emotional charge. Bianca and Dilara Foscht deliver hauntingly complementary performances: one imbued with brittle defensiveness, the other with wounded tenderness, each gradually unmasking the generational scars that bind them. Their command of gesture and glance carries as much weight as dialogue, a reminder of how familial intimacy sharpens both love and cruelty. Simone Neviani's supporting role adds a spectral presence, bridging the sisters' fractured perspectives with quiet menace. The ending, elusive yet potent, resists tidy resolution and instead offers multiple interpretations-whether catharsis, collapse, or an eternal haunting-which lingers with the viewer long after the credits roll. In a cinematic landscape often dominated by bombast, Day of a Lion dares to whisper, and in its whispers it roars.
"A masterclass in restraint and human storytelling, this independent film turns the confines of a single house, one day, and three actors into a stage for universal emotion. The four languages spoken throughout don't separate the characters-they enrich the tension, intimacy, and vulnerability, weaving together a drama that feels both deeply personal and profoundly global. It's a rare work that proves how much cinema can achieve with so little, leaving behind an echo that lingers long after the final frame."
Day of a Lion, proofed to me once again that there still is hope for our film industry and that true movie magic can be found in rare indie gems,- such as Day of a Lion. Hauntingly beautiful images, great performances,- and dark topic matters. The play-like written dialogue almost reminds of Yorgos Lanthimos' "The Killing of a Sacred Deer" and fits the world the movie is set in perfectly.
This movie is for anyone who has lost hope in cinema or has simply watched enough "pre-quals and se-quals".
Let's bring back more original IP's such as Day of a Lion!
Excited to see what the filmmakers do next.
This movie is for anyone who has lost hope in cinema or has simply watched enough "pre-quals and se-quals".
Let's bring back more original IP's such as Day of a Lion!
Excited to see what the filmmakers do next.
Day of a Lion is a captivating psycho-drama that resonates deeply with anyone who has experienced the complexities of sibling relationships, particularly those between sisters. From its ethereal opening scenes, which beautifully showcase the house in a series of shadowy, dreamlike tableaus, the film grips your attention and refuses to let go until the final credits roll.
At the heart of the story are sisters Wanda and Dolly, whose intricate relationship is laced with lies and secrets that keep us on the edge of our seats. As the narrative unfolds, the film masterfully builds tension, only to release it momentarily before ramping it up again, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves viewers breathless.
The performances by the two lead actresses are nothing short of extraordinary. Bianca Foscht delivers a haunting portrayal of Wanda, the eccentric and initially withdrawn sister grappling with depression and resentment. Her ability to embody this complex character is mesmerizing; we find ourselves unable to look away as she navigates the depths of Wanda's psyche. On the other hand, Dilara Foscht brings a vibrant energy to the role of Dolly, the delusional and cunning sister. Her performance strikes a perfect balance between excitement and melancholy, drawing us into her character's chaotic world with skillful precision.
Every aspect of Day of a Lion is meticulously crafted, from the stunning cinematography to the thoughtful set design. Each element serves to deepen our understanding of the story, immersing us further into the sisters' tumultuous lives.
In a landscape often dominated by mainstream cinema, Day of a Lion shines as a remarkable gem of independent filmmaking. It's a film that not only entertains but also provokes thought and reflection on the intricacies of familial bonds. This is a must-watch that will linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.
At the heart of the story are sisters Wanda and Dolly, whose intricate relationship is laced with lies and secrets that keep us on the edge of our seats. As the narrative unfolds, the film masterfully builds tension, only to release it momentarily before ramping it up again, creating a rollercoaster of emotions that leaves viewers breathless.
The performances by the two lead actresses are nothing short of extraordinary. Bianca Foscht delivers a haunting portrayal of Wanda, the eccentric and initially withdrawn sister grappling with depression and resentment. Her ability to embody this complex character is mesmerizing; we find ourselves unable to look away as she navigates the depths of Wanda's psyche. On the other hand, Dilara Foscht brings a vibrant energy to the role of Dolly, the delusional and cunning sister. Her performance strikes a perfect balance between excitement and melancholy, drawing us into her character's chaotic world with skillful precision.
Every aspect of Day of a Lion is meticulously crafted, from the stunning cinematography to the thoughtful set design. Each element serves to deepen our understanding of the story, immersing us further into the sisters' tumultuous lives.
In a landscape often dominated by mainstream cinema, Day of a Lion shines as a remarkable gem of independent filmmaking. It's a film that not only entertains but also provokes thought and reflection on the intricacies of familial bonds. This is a must-watch that will linger in your mind long after the credits have rolled.
Day of A Lion shows how important is to have the indie film as an existing form of art.
With thousands of artists out there trying to tell their stories, big budget films should not be the only way to that. And this film proves that it is not. Not only that, living in the generation where AI and manufactured films have taken over, having fresh, creative, original and PERSONAL voices is incredibly important.
This film might not have the high budget sound editing or the historial accuracy design, but none of those take us out from the experience that is seeing this story unfold and HOW it's being told.
Day of a Lion is a true indie gem that relights my passion for the indie community and proving that you can make an amazing film that looks way more expensive that it actually is.
Huge props to Bianca and Dilara, to the producers and to every single person in the crew.
With thousands of artists out there trying to tell their stories, big budget films should not be the only way to that. And this film proves that it is not. Not only that, living in the generation where AI and manufactured films have taken over, having fresh, creative, original and PERSONAL voices is incredibly important.
This film might not have the high budget sound editing or the historial accuracy design, but none of those take us out from the experience that is seeing this story unfold and HOW it's being told.
Day of a Lion is a true indie gem that relights my passion for the indie community and proving that you can make an amazing film that looks way more expensive that it actually is.
Huge props to Bianca and Dilara, to the producers and to every single person in the crew.
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official site
- Languages
- Filming locations
- New Westminster, British Columbia, Canada(Dolly's and Wanda's childhood home.)
- Production companies
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
- Runtime
- 1h 30m(90 min)
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 16:9 HD
Contribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content