Ruben Amar and Lola Bessis, the directors of Silver Star, return with their second feature film, a road movie in the purest American tradition. Blending adventure and humor, the film thrives on the dynamic between its two protagonists. Billie, a young African American woman who lost an eye to police violence, grapples with her family’s financial struggles. Driven by frustration, she sets out to rob a bank that has played a role in their hardships. There, she crosses paths with Franny, an ex-addict nearing the end of her pregnancy, who unexpectedly becomes her hostage in a frantic bid to escape.
Merging social critique with action, the film follows these unlikely fugitives as they journey across the American heartland, pursued by the police. Reminiscent of classics like Thelma & Louise (1991) and more recent titles like Zola (2020), their encounters along the way paint a vivid portrait of the country’s past and present, sparking conversations on issues such as the Civil War and racial discrimination.
Credits
Year: 2024
Runtime: 102′
Country: USA
Direction: Ruben Amar, Lola Bessis
Screenplay: Ruben Amar, Lola Bessis
Cast: Grace Van Dien, Troy Leigh-Anne Johnson, Johnath Davis
Cinematography: Cole Graham
Genre: Thriller
Subtitles: Iris C. Permuy, Albert Vilalta
Contact: The Festival Agency
Wins & nominations
2024 | Festival de Deauville
2024 | Festival de Denver