“When We Were Sisters” – Lisa Brühlmann’s triple performance
Published: Sunday, Oct 6th 2024, 17:50
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Seven years after her successful debut feature film "Blue My Mind", director, screenwriter and actress Lisa Brühlmann is returning to the Zurich Film Festival (ZFF) with a new coming-of-age drama. "When We Were Sisters" celebrated its world premiere on Sunday evening and is in the running for a Golden Eye Award.
"Giraffe" is actually called Valeska. She is 15 years old, an only child, and her pet name is not nearly as unwieldy as her relationship with her eccentric mother Monica. Everything is still calm. The two are on their way to Crete, where they will spend their first vacation together with Monica's new boyfriend Jacques, his daughter Lena and their dog Charlie.
While the adults are absorbed in their fresh infatuation, the girls don't know what to do with each other at first. However, the latter is not the main reason why a subtle simmering can be felt even in the most carefree moments. On the one hand, Monica (Lisa Brühlmann) makes it clear from the start that she doesn't want her daughter around her and her boyfriend. The risk of her destroying their happiness in love is too great for her. On the other hand, Jacques is clearly making an effort to get to know everyone and create a relaxed atmosphere.
But when Carlos Leal, who plays the unemployed and mostly helpless architect, calls out broken German phrases such as "hello, are you zweg", it's only funny for the audience. The women around him remain unimpressed. Not to say: on the lookout. Valeska in particular, played by Paula Rappaport ("Emma Lies"), can see the constant tension. Most of the time she remains silent, stares into space, sits out the time. And she suffers.
Drama about the dog
When Lena's (Malou Mösli, "Platzspitzbaby") dog disappears without a trace, the weak points in the patchwork structure come out in full force. As always, Monica blames her daughter Valeska, who puts up with everything, Lena grieves and Jacques tries to appease her without really taking a stand. His dejected look, his drinking and the photo of his ex in his wallet are shown more and more frequently. Monica's face, distorted by jealousy, and her dogged efforts to create harmony are also shown.
But beautiful things also happen. Lena seeks closeness to Valeska, she longs for an ally. So even when Valeska makes it clear that she has a dark soul and is incapable of entering into a relationship, she refuses to be turned away. A friendly relationship develops between the two. They call each other "Sisters" and contrast the difficult family vacations with a few carefree moments.
Sensitively narrated intensity
While Lisa Brühlmann illuminated the inner life of an adolescent in a fascinating way in "Blue My Mind", the Zurich native paints a much bigger picture in "When We Were Sisters". This first film, in which she also played the leading role alongside her directing and screenwriting work, is about the fragility of an entire family constellation. About different sensitivities and intentions. Monica strives hard for happiness, everything becomes too much for Jacques, and in between, two girls give each other the security they need.
As calmly and sensitively as "When We Were Sisters" is told, the scenes are powerful and deeply touching. The moments in which Monica takes her frustration out on Valeska, Jacques loses his nerve in despair, the girls laugh together and Valeska finally stops putting up with everything have a long-lasting effect. Lisa Brühlmann has managed to pack many different themes into one plot without overloading the movie or making it too long. She has also put together a cast that, as small as it is, is able to carry the movie from the first to the last minute.
"When We Were Sisters" is in the running for the Golden Eye in the feature film competition along with 13 other films. These include "Les Courageux" by US-Swiss filmmaker Jasmin Gordon and the Swiss co-production "Mother Mara" by Mirjana Karanovic, who, like Brühlmann, acted as director, screenwriter and lead actress. The Award Night will take place on Saturday, October 12, at the Zurich Opera House.
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