Fremont

Donya was an Afghan translator for the U.S. military before immigrating to California where she leads a lonely life working in a fortune cookie factory.

A story of displacement filmed in moody black and white, "Fremont" has a surreal feel, idiosyncratic and unhurried. The production is restrained, almost languid in its pacing. The characters speak with deliberation and at times the acting looks so stiff it suggests an unfamiliarity with their craft; even as they perfectly portray an ineffable dreamlike state befitting the protagonist's search for meaning beyond trite messages inserted into cookies. With a steady hand, the director uses brief scenes to infuse hope without diminishing the pervading sense of loneliness. Fortunate cookie.

Limited Release 2nd May 2024
Mushroom Pictures 91 mins