#TIFF22: “AFTERSUN”

By Amanda Gilmore

Aftersun is an assured, haunting Feature Debut for Writer-Director Charlotte Wells. It tells the story of Sophie (played by Celia Rowlson-Hall as an adult) who reflects on her holiday to a Turkish seaside resort with her father 20 years earlier.

Callum (Paul Mescal), 30, is a divorcee father to his 11-year-old daughter Sophie (Frankie Corio). After leaving his wife and daughter in Scotland and moving to England, Callum knows how precious time with his daughter is. This is why he makes the most of his time with her while at the Turkish seaside resort. All seems well with Callum until the curious Sophie turns their MiniDV camera on him and asks personal questions. Slowly, we begin to see that the face he puts out to the world protects the melancholy he struggles with inside.

The majority of Aftersun takes place with Callum and Sophie at the resort. Wells places them in quiet moments together, such as putting sunscreen on in their hotel room. These moments allow us to observe these characters, however, Wells keeps their inner lives a mystery. This is shown when Sophie turns the MiniDV camera onto Callum and asks him about where he thought he would be at 30. His answer is one that is deeply personal, however, we still don’t understand what he is fully struggling with.

These moments at the resort are interrupted with fleeting images of Sophie as an adult, standing on a crowded dance floor with white strobe lights flashing. Every time this extended scene appears, we are given a deeper look at the father just as things become clearer for the adult Sophie. At first adult Sophie stands alone, later flashes of her father (still 30) appear, and finally, she makes her way to him from across the dance floor. This masterful use of imagery shows how reflecting on this past trip has helped her understand her father. She can now see him and embrace him for who he was and what he was dealing with. The outstanding Direction and Screenplay by Wells, allow the audience to empathize with Callum. She does this with heartbreaking images of Callum crying uncontrollably and walking into the ocean.

Aftersun’s heavy emotional impact is thanks to both Wells and the powerful performances from Mescal and the young Corio. Corio turns in a mature performance as a curious girl who’s too young to understand but knows something is wrong. While Mescal, who many will know from his outstanding performance in Normal People, gives a heartbreaking portrayal of a man struggling but trying to do everything for his child.

Aftersun screens as follows at TIFF ’22:

Mon, Sep 12 IN-PERSON at TIFF Bell Lightbox at 6:45 pm

Tue, Sep 13 at Scotiabank Theatre at 3:15 pm

Sat, Sep 17 at Scotiabank Theatre at 12:15 pm