This film was released 1st December 2010, and is no longer screening.

This chamber drama following one woman’s dangerous quest for emotional fulfilment transcends micro-budget Mexican indie cinema to merit comparisons with Last Tango in Paris and In the Realm of the Senses. A single freelancer working from her tiny apartment, Laura (Monica del Carmen in a truly soul-baring performance) channels her isolation into a series of one-night stands. Still, it’s only when she encounters the brooding Arturo (Gustavo Sanchez Parra, assured in a demanding role) that she begins to feel a genuine connection, since he likes to dole out punishment and she, seemingly, likes to take it. The performers’ physical commitment takes the story right to the edge, and while the subject matter’s certainly confrontational – should a male director be giving us a heroine so keen on her own sexual subjugation? – expat Aussie Michael Rowe’s first feature never loses sight of the poignant psychological imperatives ruling the heroine’s challenging choices. This is equal parts dark eroticism and humane compassion. (Notes by Trevor Johnston).