A.J. Edwards, director of the film Better Angels which was screened during the second edition of Americana, demonstrates once more the experience he acquired while working as an editor for Terrence Malick (To the Wonder, Knight of Cups). His style is reminiscent of his master’s, yet with one very distinctive element: the tone and atmosphere of his film are incredibly oppressive, a constant feeling of being trapped lingers in every scene. Rich (Mud’s Tye Sheridan), the main protagonist of Edwards’ film, bathe in that emotion throughout the film. Sheridan perfectly portrays the inscrutable Richie, a helpless young man.

Friday’s Child reflects upon the moment when orphans reach the age of majority and leave the juvenile centers where they grew up, often ill-equipped to face life without a guardian. Richie will cross path with Swim (Tyrel’s Caleb Landry Jones) and Joan (Green Room’s Imogen Poots), two individuals corrupted by the world in which they live and which will be part of Richie’s reintegration into society. The suburbs of Austin serve as the location of the film, as cold and empty as the inside of the characters, evolving without a clue or a purpose.

With Friday’s Child, the producer of the film, Onbuzz, intends to make known the serious situation of the young people growing up in these foster care centers for minors in the U.S. who upon reaching adulthood, are left completely defenceless. Gus Van Sant acts as an executive producer in this overwhelming and visionary film.

2018: SXSW Film Festival
2018: Deauville Film Festival