Something You Said Last Night

Opening Screening
A comedy debut of a queer female director Louis de Filippis has the heat of Italian summer, a feeling of overwhelming laziness and the absurdity of cross-generational vacation. Mother, who demands singing nostalgic songs together and loving, yet embarrassing father don’t make this experience any easier. Ren and her sister Sienna are a bit too adult and not so excited by the vision of such a holiday, but they don’t have much choice, especially Ren, who just lost her job. The boredom here can be drowned out by the aqueous drinks, but the discomfort of going to the beach in a small, conservative seaside town remains. Ren and Sienna hold their heavy secrets inside, while the rude honesty of their mother heats the atmosphere up to the top of resilience.

“Something You Said Last Night” is different from other trans-stories that we get used to in cinema. There’s no place here for the transgender clichés, so often used by cisgender directors, even if they have the best intentions. The stereotypes about Canadian-Italian families also drop out. Instead, we have a close-up of Ren’s anxieties, which come not only from her trans identity but – and maybe most of all – from her sensitivity and insightfulness, typical traits of an aspiring writer. Carmen Madonia in the role of Ren is truly a shining star. We should memorize her name – people like her change the queer cinema for good!

🏆 Rotterdam International Film Festival 2023 – IFFR Youth Jury Award
🏆 San Sebastián International Film Festival 2022 – Sebastiane Award – Best Film
🏆 Toronto International Film Festival 2022 – Shawn Mendes Foundation Changemaker Award
🏆 LesGaiCineMad, Madrid International LGBT Film Festival 2022 – Jury Prize

Support provided by the Canadian Embassy in Poland