Polaris

What a terrific indie film!! The story grabbed me right out of the gate. Bravo to the writer and director, Soudabeh Moradian. He did such a good job! I thought the film moved along at a nice pace. I was engaged throughout. The acting was spot on! Casting did a really good job in this area. I liked all of the actors. In particular the lead actress Alicja Bachleda. This film scores a thumbs up from me!!

Filmmaker Soudabeh Moradian delivers a true masterpiece with Polaris! Not only does it tell a compelling story following Baran (Alicja Bachleda), a traumatized war photographer, but manages to integrate themes of immigration, culture and war. Great performances all around and visuals that will transport you from your home to the middle east!

With beautiful imagery and inherent complexity, this film is mesmerizing. Soudabeh Moradian really brings us into the world of ptsd through a female perspective. It is a very forward thinking piece about a relationship and personal struggle told through the point of view of a woman. I appreciated the power of female bonding that I experienced in this film. I found it to be compelling, relevant and refreshing.

It takes a while to get your bearings in the story, but once you do, the film is a satisfying slow-burn, unravelling with enough secrets and twists to keep you engaged. The acting is mostly strong, but the two lead characters aren't particularly endearing, and their motives and actions are sometimes questionable. The film spends most of it's time in one location, but doesn't overstay it's welcome as the film is cleverly interspersed with jumps in time and space. The cinematography is lovely and keeps you engaged with the story. Ultimately, the film feels original and unformulaic, and stays uncompromising to the end.

Filmmaker Soudabeh Moradian provides a very gripping look at wartime through the lens of a photographer suffering PTSD. This is a super gritty, intense film that you have to watch.