“Ariane Labed’s directorial debut, September Says, is a superb drama that features a star-making performance from actress Pascale Kann.”
Written and directed by Ariane Labed, in her theatrical directorial debut, the drama September Says is about to hit cinema screens. The film, based on the novel Sisters by Daisy Johnson, features Mia Tharia, Rakhee Thakrar and Pascale Kann in the three main roles. Fans of the novel don’t need me to tell them how the film goes or how it plays out. But those who are unfamiliar with the novel will sit back and be amazed and entertained by what unravels on the screen.
PREMISE
When September is suspended from school, her sister, July, begins to explore her own independence. Leading to tension on a holiday in Ireland.
THOUGHTS
The film is unsettling from the very start. The modern fable is like an onion, peel off one layer to find another one underneath. While we think we have a handle on what’s going on, we are mistaken. With hints about the real truth scattered throughout the film, we find ourselves never really feeling comfortable. With smatterings of humour scattered around the events, we sometimes fall into a trap of overthinking things. Despite a fully clothed sex scene around the halfway point that does have us laughing out loud, it is really only a brief respite from the drama we are seeing.
As we near the climax and the truth is revealed, we find ourselves realising all the signs we should have spotted during the film. Some will possibly work it out before this point. But for the rest of the audience, it comes as a hammer blow. We suddenly realise what we’ve been seeing isn’t the reality we thought it was. It also leads us to question our thoughts on the topics that this shocking revelation raises.
THE CAST
The three main actresses carry the film on their shoulders throughout. With a few supporting actors to help along the way, the main cast is who we follow all the way from start to finish. Mia Tharia, as July, is the character we are most invested in. Downtrodden, bullied and totally reliant on her sister, July is a character we feel sorry for and want to reach into the film and help. Along the way, July is brought out of her shell somewhat by her sister but we never feel comfortable about what she is experiencing. We pity her as September constantly lets her down by not doing what July asks of her. We are afraid for her at times when September tells her to do things that she should resist. Mia Tharia gives an understated and winning performance as July, one we hinge our feelings on.
Rakhee Thakrar as Sheela, the girls’ mother, also gives a superb and heartwarming performance. She, too, is slightly downtrodden, being a single mother to two teenage girls. Her need for love and affection and to have some time to herself away from the pair comes into play in Ireland. The aforementioned sex scene comes into play here. Despite being quite comical in nature, we also feel that Sheela needs this, the release from the tension she feels and bottles up. The relief from the stress she is being caused by September’s behaviour. Rakhee Thakrar gives us a performance we can get behind. A mother stuck in the middle ground between the two girls.
PASCALE KANN
Pascale Kann, however, blows everyone away with her performance as September. Feisty, rebellious, tough and uncompromising, she is a character that we can never forget. We would think that the actress has been acting on screen for years. You will be blown away to discover that this is her debut performance. The ease with which the young actress slips into September’s shoes is remarkable. This is truly a remarkable breakthrough performance. When she appears on screen, we can’t tear our eyes from her. She commands our full attention during every second she appears. We think that September is a problem child, which she undoubtly is. But her will, her determination to protect her sister, is completely believable and admirable. Instead of being annoyed with her, we find ourselves being totally on her side. This is all down to Pascale Kann’s incredible performance.
WRITING AND DIRECTION
The direction and writing from Ariane Labed, making her film directorial debut, is outstanding. She is a highly regarded French film actress in her own right, but the talent she displays behind the camera cannot be understated. The writing she provides gives the film an extra quality. At no time can we criticize the effort she has put into bringing the novel to the screen in all its glory. The same has to be said for her directorial style. The bleached-out colours of a rainy England, the vibrance of a party at an art gallery. And the sunshine that is seen in Ireland to accentuate the landscape of the country is amazing. Ariane Labed has a great future both in front of and behind the camera based on her style and finesse here.
VERDICT
Ariane Labed’s directorial debut, September Says, is a superb drama that features a star-making performance from actress Pascale Kann. While some of the book’s fans may be slightly unhappy at the slight change to the ending, they can’t help but be overjoyed at what the film contains. The film is a delight from start to finish, one of those films that appears from time to time that blows you away. It also has us watching and thinking we know what is going on and where it’s going. When that rug is pulled out from under our feet, we find ourselves unsure at every turn. Are we seeing what is real or something else entirely? Why is September pushing her sister to do the things she demands? All this and more will be revealed.
This is one of those films I adore. Instead of the next big blockbuster to fill a multiplex, what we have here is something that screams out to be seen. Something that deserves to jump up and shout out, “Hey! Watch me instead! I deserve a chance!”. And it certainly does. For every CGI big-budget fest, there’s a smaller, independent and deserving film that is miles better, offering a film that will make you think as well as much better entertainment. This is one of them. Ariane Labed, I salute you. What you have delivered is one of the best pieces of entertainment I have seen in a fair while. September Says to go to the cinema and watch her movie. As do I.
September Says will be released in cinemas on February 21st.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
