Back
See the trailer

IRELAND, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Belgium | 105 minutes | 2019

Jade, a young London mother, leaves the hospital. The doctors seem pleased with her progress. But how can she face daily life with a two-year-old when she’s been the victim of an acid attack by her ex-boyfriend? Heartrending and often hard to watch, Sacha Polak’s film opens a window onto a tragic reality. Using camera work reminiscent of Andrea Arnold’s and a stripped-down, intense mise-en-scène, the Dutch filmmaker captures her heroine’s plight with infinite tenderness. In the role of Jade, the non-professional actor Vicky Knight, who herself suffered burns as a baby, is a true revelation.
CANADIAN PREMIERE

"An astonishingly vibrant and engaging performance by feature first-timer Vicky Knight drives this urgent, passionate drama from Dutch film-maker Sacha Polak." The Guardian
"Despite the down-to-earth toughness of its subject, Polak and cinematographer Ruben Impens explore an expressionistic palette, full of vivid splashes of colour." The Guardian
"An unflinching portrait of a strong-willed yet immature young woman facing a radical change in how the world looks at her as well as how she sees herself following an acid attack." Variety

World Cinema Competition - Sundance Film Festival

Rotterdam Film Festival

Programs

Saturday October 12, 2019

Program #45
21:05
Cinéma du Parc 1

Friday October 18, 2019

Program #203
18:00
Cinéma du Parc 1

Sunday October 20, 2019

Program #276
13:15
Cineplex Odeon Quartier SALLE 17

Sacha Polak

No biography

HEMEL (2012)
ZURICH (2014)

distribution and credits

  • Screenplay Sacha Polak, Susie Farrell
  • Producer Marleen Slot
  • Cast Katherine Kelly, Vicky Knight, Bluey Ronbinson

recommended movies

PANORAMA INTERNATIONAL

LILLIAN

O.V. English | st English

After being turned down for a job in the American porn industry, a penniless young woman decides to head home to Russia on foot. Her seemingly crazy...

AUSTRIA | 128 minutes | 2019

PANORAMA INTERNATIONAL

FERAL

O.V. English

Facing an imminent blizzard, Yazmine, a young homeless woman, has just one goal: survive without compromising her own rules. Prowling the dilapidated...

UNITED STATES | 74 minutes | 2019

PANORAMA INTERNATIONAL

TEMBLORES

O.V. Spanish | st English

Pablo is a model of good behaviour. He’s devoted to his wife and two kids, he goes to church regularly, life’s good and the money’s flowing in. When...

FRANCE, GUATEMALA, LUXEMBOURG | 107 minutes | 2019

x Close

Our newsletter

Stay connected

Sign-up for our newsletter to get all the latest Festival news!

Please fill this field Invalid first name
Please fill this field Invalid last name
Please fill this field Invalid email
Send You'll receive an email soon to confirm your subscription to our newsletter You are already subscribed to the newsletter

To learn more about our privacy policy, click here