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FILM REVIEWS

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As a human we are meant for relations, we can not simply live our lives without making
connections with others. But the worst part of our lives is that we get betrayed mostly
through the relations.Luca Pirero’s “Apart” is a tale that showcases how a strong relationship between a mother and her adopted son can suddenly change, leading to crucial emotional consequences.


SYNOPSIS: Luca Pirero’s “Apart” offers a plot that unmasks identity, belonging, and the
complexities of family relations from the standpoint of a political backdrop. It narrates the story of Ingela, a Swedish woman on the cusp of retirement, who discovers that her adopted son, Jakob, has turned into a right-wing extremist.
Even if the woman faces emotional turmoil, she continues to prepare for her retirement party, already planned for the evening and where also Jakob will be present.


The setting creates the right atmosphere for the audience, making Jakob's later outburst
all the more jarring. To prove himself correct during a political discussion around the
dinner table, Jakob crosses all the limits, transforming the party into chaos. The stress
between Ingela and Jakob reveals a deeply unsettling truth: despite being originally from
another country, Jakob vigorously withstands people coming from other countries. This
whole scene raises deprecatory questions about identity, sense of belonging and the
unpleasant truth of self-acceptance.


 Analysis - Pirero crafts a delicate portrait of Ingela, who gets smashed between her
hopes for her son and the bitter reality. Ingela’s character truly creates the image of a
mother’s love. The emotional weight of her discovery is visible; the audience can sense
her navigating the complex of denial, disappointment, and ultimately, confrontation with
the reality of the world of her son.
The movie does a commendable job of portraying her inner struggle as a mother,
focusing at the same time on the personal ramifications of Jakob’s political beliefs,
deeply rooted in his personality.
The whole cast enriches the plot with their praiseworthy acting skills. Diverse characters
create the scope for the audience to explore viewpoints that contribute to the film’s
central conflict. Though the film shows the effect of politics on relations, the intent of the
director is not making a political statement. The aim of the director is to explore the
emotional landscape of a mother-son relationship, influenced by conflicting ideologies.
Cinematography - Visually, “Apart” is a movie that has emotion, and a strong and very
effective message about self–awareness. Creating the atmosphere of the retirement party,

Luca Pirero gives to the audience the opportunity to observe different points of view,
amplifying the film's central tensions. The cinematography is also able to clearly catch
the emotional void of each character around the dinner table, leaving a strong impact on
the audience's mind.
Final Words: “Apart” is a thought-provoking movie and the story invites the audience to
reflect about the nature of any family, the complexities and difficulties of any identity and
the impact of social and political believes on personal bondings.
By focusing on Ingelas emotional journey, Pirero frames the human experiences, letting
the audience feel the fragileness of a mother’s love, in contrast to the harsh reality she
has to face.

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