Unrelated
DIR/WRI: Joanna Hogg • PRO: Barbara Stone • DOP: Oliver Curtis • ED: Helle le Fevre • DES: Stéphane Collonge • CAST: Kathryn Worth, Tom Hiddleston, Mary Roscoe, David Rintoul, Henry Lloyd-Hughes, Harry Kershaw, Michael Hadley, Emma Hiddleston

Unrelated is a middle-aged woman’s personal journey toward acceptance of her past choices presented in a refreshingly sophisticated and intelligent visual narrative.

Anna is escaping the current turmoil in her childless marriage by going on holiday with old friends and their young-adult children. She is drawn towards ‘the young’ rather than her likewise middle-aged friends, causing conflict to arise as Anna’s friends confront her. Surprisingly, Anna is not confronted about the flirtatious relationship brewing between her and her friend’s 19-year-old son, but is questioned regarding the emotional distance she has placed between herself and her own peer group.

This uniquely British independent film spends no time concerned with back-story. Its plot is very much in the moment, even though it is obvious that Anna is not. Everything that is revealed is done so with thought and care.

While disinterested by distractions, the film is rife with lush visual metaphors reflecting Anna’s state of mind during a transitional and reflective moment in her life, most notably realised through nature shots including a poignant shot of a dying, shrivelled sunflower patch swaying beneath a motorway underpass. The Italian countryside in which the film was shot does not seem have a larger cultural comment other than providing a setting for the drama unfolding between the characters.

The muted climax of the film begs more questions than answers, particularly around issues of feminist theory. The denial of Anna’s feminine destiny, manifested by her childlessness, leaves her regretful, displaced and underprivileged. The title of the film, Unrelated, underscores the central conflict of the film. Anna reconciles her hidden emotionality while surrounded by friends whose life choices have brought them inside the tribe, leaving her an outsider.

A soundtrack of silences, stagnant camera sequences, visually driven conflicts and debate-worthy narrative allow Unrelated a rare and laudable honesty. 

Lydia O’Connor
(Read biog here)

Rated 15A (see IFCO website for details)
Unrelated is released on 19th September 2008
Unrelated – Official website