Locarno Film Festival 2023, Switzerland - World Premiere, Golden Boccalino Award
Synopsis
Set at the dawn of Covid, Family Portrait follows a sprawling family on a morning when they have planned a group picture. After the mother disappears and one of the daughters becomes increasingly anxious to find her and take the picture, the rest of the family appears to resist any attempt to gather. Initially presenting itself as a realistic portrayal of a family on an idle but hectic summer day, the film progressively descends into a realm where time and space lose their grip, transforming the family portrait into a solemn and enigmatic ritual of transition.
Set at the dawn of Covid, Family Portrait follows a sprawling family on a morning when they have planned a group picture. After the mother disappears and one of the daughters becomes increasingly anxious to find her and take the picture, the rest of the family appears to resist any attempt to gather. Initially presenting itself as a realistic portrayal of a family on an idle but hectic summer day, the film progressively descends into a realm where time and space lose their grip, transforming the family portrait into a solemn and enigmatic ritual of transition.
"Still waters run deep in this feature debut... Somewhere between Hereditary and L’Avventura.”
-David Ehrlich, IndieWire
"Highly Cinematic. The camerawork is definitely the film’s strongest asset, switching between breathtaking Steadicam shots, especially in the opening scene, and fixed shots where we observe the drama at odd angles and from a certain remove.”
-Jordan Mitzer, The Hollywood Reporter
“Cinematographer Lidia Nikonova’s frames look like moving paintings” - Bella Vega, FilmDaze
“It stands apart because of the way Kerr and cinematographer Lidia Nikonova frame everything, capturing visually the chilling feeling that comes from our tendency to not look at what's important.” - Collider
Festival Selection
Locarno Film Festival 2023, Switzerland - World Premiere, Golden Boccalino Award for Best Director
Black Canvas Contemporary Film Festival 2023, Mexico - Best Director Award
Chicago International Film Festival 2023, USA
American Film Festival 2023, Poland
Houston Cinema Arts Festival 2023, USA
International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg 2023, Germany
El Gouna Film Festival 2023, Egypt
Hainan Island International Film Festival 2023, China - Best Picture Award, Best Actress Award (Deragh Campbell), Best Artistic Contribution Award
Festival International de Films de Femmes 2024, France
D'A Film Festival Barcelona 2024, Spain
Locarno Film Festival 2023, Switzerland - World Premiere, Golden Boccalino Award for Best Director
Black Canvas Contemporary Film Festival 2023, Mexico - Best Director Award
Chicago International Film Festival 2023, USA
American Film Festival 2023, Poland
Houston Cinema Arts Festival 2023, USA
International Filmfestival Mannheim-Heidelberg 2023, Germany
El Gouna Film Festival 2023, Egypt
Hainan Island International Film Festival 2023, China - Best Picture Award, Best Actress Award (Deragh Campbell), Best Artistic Contribution Award
Festival International de Films de Femmes 2024, France
D'A Film Festival Barcelona 2024, Spain