#TIFF18: “PHOENIX” REVIEW

Review by Amanda Gilmore for Mr. Will Wong

Phoenix follows young teenager Jill (Ylva Thedin Bjørkaas) who has watched her mother’s (Maria Bonnevie) substance abuse and depression rapidly escalate. After a tragic incident, Jill is forced to mature way beyond her years and take care of her little brother, Bo (Casper Falck-Løvås). This is the first feature for Writer-Director Camilla Strøm Henriksen and will be making its World Premiere at TIFF in the Discovery Programme.

Camilla Strøm Henriksen has crafted a compelling first Feature about the effects that mental illness and substance abuse have on the affected and their family. She does this through the atmospheric setting and by telling the story through the eyes of teenage Jill.

Phoenix screens at TIFF on Friday, September 7 at 9:15 PM at Scotiabank 11, Sunday, September 9 at 9 AM at TIFF Bell Lightbox 4, and Saturday, September 15 at 12:30 PM at Scotiabank 9.