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He won the main prize at this year’s Solothurn Film Days, and now the strong debut film by Swiss-Canadian director Sophie Jarvis is coming to cinemas.
Shy Robin (Grace Glowicki) works in a peach packing station. In Montague, where she lives, it’s all about the furry fruit. The fictional Canadian small town lives from growing and selling them.
One day Robin discovers something rather disgusting in a peach: a black beetle. You can immediately see great concern on Robin’s face.
Quarantined plantations
Director Sophie Jarvis explains why the young woman reacts so violently to the insect casually, but no less forcefully. Robin’s family lost their plantation some time ago due to a moth infestation.
Legend: The problems in Peach Town begin with the little beetle. Outside The Box
We find out about this through short dialogues, for example when Robin worriedly shows the beetle to the man from the food inspection.
Robin has to take the problem into his own hands. Her boss Dennis just puts her off and doesn’t want the community to find out about it.
The calm narrative style runs through the entire film – and yet what is at stake here is always noticeable.
Because of Robin’s discovery, the plantations are ultimately quarantined. The workers fear for their jobs and blame Robin for it.
Realistic story, surreal staged
The Swiss-Canadian director Sophie Jarvis immerses her simple, realistic story in a surreal atmosphere. The sensual shots of the peach orchards are accompanied by eerie music.
And strange things keep happening. While cooking, Robin finds an eye in an egg or watches a car with thousands of insects buzzing around it. “Until Branches Bend” feels like a fever dream at times. But the fantastic elements also fit easily into the story.
Montague is everywhere
The story could take place anywhere. The fact that “Until Branches Bend” was shot on film gives the work something timeless. This emphasizes: This is about something universal.
RSI co-production
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Radiotelevisione Svizzera (RSI) co-produced this film.
Starting with something small – a beetle and a peach – Sophie Jarvis makes a commentary on the big: the effects of capitalist agriculture. And it shows how complex the problem is.
Profit above all else
A scene at a community meeting at Montague City Hall shows the fronts. A man warns of the financial dangers that a crop stoppage would mean. An older worker shouts that no one is interested in the pickers anyway, it’s all about profit.
Legend: The shy Robin (right) doesn’t look away and doesn’t let herself be defeated despite resistance. Outside The Box
Another woman sees the quarantine as an opportunity to rethink harmful farming practices. After all, people are not the only living creatures that inhabit the area.
With her well-intentioned warning, Robin ultimately incurs the displeasure of the community and is threatened and ostracized. And her boss Dennis lets her down. He claims she never showed him the beetle – a lie.
Slight criticism of capitalism, cool heroine
“That’s absurd!” Robin replies in front of the entire community – and as a spectator you are amazed and delighted. The initially somewhat strange, insecure Robin finds more and more strength.
Because that’s what “Until Branches Bend” is about: it’s the story of a woman who doesn’t let herself get down and becomes the atypical heroine of a quiet criticism of capitalism.
Cinema release: September 13, 2023
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2023-09-17 21:49:32
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