Memory burns.|Oct. 21, 2022|101 Min.
Genre: Drama
Description: Eleven-year-old Sophie embarks on a summer vacation to Turkey with her caring 30-year-old Scottish father, Calum. Throughout their trip, Sophie captures memories using her MiniDV camera, with snippets of her footage woven into the narrative. During their stay, Sophie befriends a group of British teenagers at the resort, who openly discuss relationships and romance. She also connects with a boy her age, spending time together playing arcade games.
Calum, however, displays signs of inner struggle and depression, masking his true feelings to shield Sophie. Despite his cheerful exterior, he grapples with personal and financial challenges, having separated amicably from Sophie’s mother. During moments alone, Calum practices Tai chi, reads self-help books, and smokes—a habit he conceals from Sophie.
Sophie, though observant, remains unaware of her father’s emotional turmoil. During a scuba diving excursion, Sophie loses her expensive mask to the sea. Calum pretends not to mind, but Sophie senses his disappointment and reassures him, acknowledging the mask’s value. Calum later confides to the diving instructor that he is surprised to have reached the age of 30 and doubts he will live to see 40.
Later, at a rug merchant, Sophie notices Calum’s hesitation over the price of a rug he admires. He initially declines to purchase it but returns later to buy it despite the cost.
The tension between them surfaces during a karaoke night. Sophie signs them up to sing together, but Calum refuses, leaving her to perform “Losing My Religion” alone. Hurt by his rejection, Sophie opts to stay behind with the teenagers rather than return to the hotel with Calum.
Cast director: Charlotte Wells
Cast actor: Frankie Corio, Paul Mescal, Celia Rowlson-Hall, Sally Messham, Ayşe Parlak, Sophia Lamanova, Brooklyn Toulson, Spike Fearn, Harry Perdios, Frank Corio
Original name: Aftersun