In the frank drama, that won Berlinale’s Teddy award and was selected for Tribeca’s international competition, real scars and real life blend so authentically and seamlessly with an intimately improvised fictional story of childhood trauma, burning loss, scorching sexuality, tender love, and forgiveness. British amateur actress Vicky Knight returns to the embrace of Dutch director Sacha Polak for the second time (their first collaboration “Dirty God” premiered in Rotterdam in 2019) with her own pain, traumas, and experiences in this Loachean-Arnoldean drama, which coincidentally shares the title with a new album recorded by cult director Jim Jarmusch. The score is also an integral component of the film.

Franky, a survivor of a heartless arson attack devotedly works in the same hospital, where her life was saved. She still longs for revenge and wants to bring the culprits to justice. The selfless caring nurse meets fierce suicidal Florence, who earnestly warns her that she is a bad person, but the only one who makes Franky smile. Their torrid romance blooms, but Franky’s family reacts with total disapproval. Two deeply wounded women will soon find a new family, but their personal demons, bitter thirst, unstable temper, uncontrollable anger, and self-hatred complicate beautiful feelings. A tough, provocative, and challenging film about the bravery to discover your true self and a relationship, which is not always easy to survive.

Edvinas Pukšta