Day of a Lion

Not an easy film to watch as it deals with complex, layered themes, with a story about two sisters, told in multiple languages, with a lot of allegory. However, I found it was worth sticking with it. The dramatic conflict really comes to life when a third character (the boyfriend of one sister) shows up. The ending pays off and the Foscht twins have demonstrated a distinctive voice in storytelling, which is refreshing to see in this debut feature.

Powerful performances from the Foscht twins, outstanding cinematography, and appropriate sound design, this film leans on its expertly crafted characters where other films might distract you with spectacle. Set in one location, the film never draws attention to itself in a self serving way, instead, it utilizes every penny of its budget in service of the story. I look forward to what these ladies do next!

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.

Day of a Lion is an outstanding indie film that had me hooked from the very first moment until the end. The story of the two sisters is not only thrilling but also deeply touching and full of emotion. The atmosphere is built with incredible care, every scene feels meaningful and pulls you further into the narrative. The performances of the actresses are absolutely convincing and give the film a unique intensity. If you are into independent cinema, this film is not just worth watching...it's a must! For me, it's a true highlight and a shining example of how powerful indie films can be.

So much respect and love for the story and the big twist in the end! This is such a well-done project regarding all the aspects within such a small budget: acting, both of the leads portrayed the characters so well and clearly showed their differences through costume, hair, makeup, expressions, and body language. The production design looks so stylized and has great colors, and the cinematography also looks elegant! Nice sound design and editing really elevated the emotions and atmosphere. So many scenes are so good, the fight, the dance, and the back and forth between the kitchen & bedroom. Excited to see what they will do next!