Another one from the Portuguese shortlist. Just like Pedro Costa's visual masterpiece Vitalina Varela, Ana Rocha de Sousa's Listen also made an impression in this year's film festival circuit - Venice Film Festival, to be more specific.
Have a look at Ana Rocha de Sousa's Listen:
"In the London suburbs, Bela and Jota face serious difficulties when "social services" raise concerns about the safety of their three children. The 7-year-old daughter's deafness triggers a process in the system that seems to go on forever."
FLASH REVIEW: Ana Rocha de Sousa makes her directorial debut with Listen. As you watch it, you can see it does feel like a directorial debut, but what might lack in refined directing or personal style, it overcomes with honesty and a raw emotional punch in key scenes. In fact, the director doesn't lack an assured hand - she can be really heavy-handed in a couple of scenes. But you know what? It works! The movie is about a family falling apart and the movie never underplays the feelings or despair of a mother and father losing their kids for the social services. Ruben Garcia and, specially, Lúcia Moniz deliver raw fine performances, not rich in detail, but that feel honest. Listen is no masterpiece, but it is a good movie about a social issue that feels relevant. It's not a movie that grabs you because it deserves to be admired and respected, but because it is a movie you feel emotionally attached to.
RATING: 4,5 / 5
It is as brilliant as Pedro Costa's Vitalina Varela, but I can't resist the crowd pleasing effect of Listen that might play a big role in case it is selected as Portugal's Oscar submission for Best International Film. People don't always vote for what they most admire, but for what they like the most.
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