New Movies: On Falling (2024) by Laura Carreira

Link to watch: https://www.justwatch.com/uk/movie/on-falling (UK)

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt30766504/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/467003/

About movie: https://goodfellas.film/movie/on-falling/

Detailed Summary

"On Falling" tells the story of Aurora (Joana Santos), a Portuguese woman working in a vast, algorithm-driven fulfillment center (similar to an Amazon warehouse) in Scotland. The film portrays her daily routine and the pervasive loneliness and alienation she experiences both at work and in her solitary flatshare. Trapped between the repetitive, dehumanizing nature of her job in the gig economy and the quiet solitude of her personal life, Aurora struggles to resist the encroaching sense of isolation and the superficial small talk that threatens her sense of self. The narrative explores Aurora's silent and vital fight to find meaning and connection in a world designed to keep people apart.

Plot Summary

Aurora, a Portuguese immigrant in Scotland, works as a warehouse picker in a large fulfillment center. The film depicts her monotonous routine at work, where human interaction is minimal, and her lonely existence outside of work. Longing for connection and purpose, Aurora navigates the challenges of a new culture and a demanding job that slowly wears her down. The story captures her internal struggle against the pervasive loneliness and the subtle but persistent erosion of her sense of self in the face of a dehumanizing work environment.

Director's Vision

Laura Carreira's vision for "On Falling" was to create a work of "gig economy cinema" that puts a human face on the realities of precarious work in today's economy. Drawing inspiration from her own experiences as a Portuguese film student in Edinburgh, Carreira aimed for a subdued tone and rhythm that mirror the exhaustion of demanding labor. The film serves as a commentary on the social isolation inherent in algorithm-driven work and explores the protagonist's quiet resilience in the face of this isolation.

Themes

• Loneliness and Alienation: Aurora's experience highlights the profound loneliness and alienation that can result from both demanding, isolating work and navigating a new culture.

• Precarious Work and the Gig Economy: The film critiques the dehumanizing nature of the gig economy, where workers are often treated as replaceable units within an algorithm.

• Immigrant Experience: Aurora's journey as a Portuguese immigrant in Scotland underscores the challenges of adapting to a new culture and seeking connection in an unfamiliar environment.

• Resilience and Survival: Despite the overwhelming loneliness, Aurora displays a quiet resilience and determination to find meaning and connection.

• Loss of Self: The repetitive and isolating nature of Aurora's work threatens to erode her sense of identity.

Key Success Factors

• Joana Santos' Quietly Moving Performance: Santos' portrayal of Aurora is central to the film's success, conveying her character's internal struggles with subtlety and depth.

• Social Realist Approach: The film's realistic depiction of working-class life in Scotland, reminiscent of Ken Loach's work, lends authenticity and impact to the narrative.

• Subdued and Authentic Tone: Carreira's directorial approach creates a tone that effectively mirrors the emotional exhaustion and monotony of Aurora's life.

• Powerful Commentary on Contemporary Issues: The film provides a poignant commentary on the gig economy and its effects on individuals.

Summary Short

"On Falling" portrays Aurora, a Portuguese warehouse worker in Scotland, as she navigates the loneliness and alienation of the algorithm-driven gig economy, quietly struggling to find meaning and connection amidst the solitude of her work and personal life.

Awards and Nominations

"On Falling" has received significant recognition:

• San Sebastián International Film Festival 2024: Silver Shell for Best Director (Laura Carreira), RTVE-Another Look Award – Special Mention, Nominee for Golden Shell.

• BFI London Film Festival 2024: Sutherland Award for Best First Feature (Won).

• Toronto International Film Festival 2024: Selection in the 'Discovery' program.

• Thessaloniki Film Festival 2024: Best Actress (Joana Santos) - Won, Nominee for Golden Alexander.

• Göteborg Film Festival 2025: Selection.

• Lisbon Film Festival (LEFFEST) 2024: Selection.

• Luxembourg City Film Festival 2024: Selection.

• El Gouna Film Festival 2024: Selection.

Critics Reception

"On Falling" has been met with critical acclaim:

• Rotten Tomatoes: Reports a 94% positive rating based on 16 critics' reviews, with an average rating of 8.4/10.

• Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian: Rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, calling it "a very impressive debut".

• Matthew Joseph Jenner of International Cinephile Society: Rated the film 4 out of 5 stars, praising its clear message delivered with genuine affection and attention to detail.   

• Fionnuala Halligan of ScreenDaily: Noted how the film grows to become "an intense, enveloping experience".

• Sophie Monks Kaufman of IndieWire: Gave the film an 'A-' rating, considering it superior to Ken Loach's later work.   

Reviews

Critics have praised the film's realism and Joana Santos' performance:

• International Cinephile Society: Highlighted the humanity in Santos' performance and the film's subtle but powerful commentary on social issues.

• Cineuropa: Noted the film's subdued tone and rhythm, mirroring the exhaustion of work, and praised Carreira's attention to detail.

• Cinema Perspective: Described it as an intimate tale of woe with specificity and authenticity, commending Joana Santos' quietly moving performance.

Box Office

"On Falling" has grossed $114,813 worldwide.

Production

"On Falling" is a British-Portuguese co-production directed and written by Laura Carreira. The film stars Joana Santos and was produced by Sixteen Films and Bro Cinema, with executive producers including Rebecca O'Brien and Ken Loach. The cinematography is by Karl Kürten, and the film has a runtime of 104 minutes.

Production Companies

• Sixteen Films (United Kingdom)

• Bro Cinema (Portugal)

Sales Companies

Goodfellas handles the sales for "On Falling."

Distribution Companies

• Conic (United Kingdom and Ireland)

• NOS Audiovisuais (Portugal - Theatrical)

• Vedette Film (Netherlands - Theatrical)

• Frenetic Films (Switzerland)

Release Date on Streaming

"On Falling" was released on MUBI in the United States on September 6, 2024.

Theatrical Release

The film had its premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2024. It was also screened at the San Sebastián International Film Festival in September 2024 and the BFI London Film Festival in October 2024. It had a theatrical release in the United Kingdom on March 7, 2025, and is scheduled for theatrical release in Portugal in 2025 and the Netherlands in 2025.

Why to Recommend This Movie

• Powerful and Realistic Portrayal of Working-Class Life: The film offers an authentic and moving depiction of the struggles of precarious work.

• Exceptional Performance by Joana Santos: Her portrayal of Aurora is nuanced and deeply affecting.

• Thought-Provoking Commentary on Social Issues: The film raises important questions about the gig economy, loneliness, and the immigrant experience.

Why to Watch Movie

• Experience Social Realism at its Best: Fans of filmmakers like Ken Loach will appreciate Carreira's similar approach and thematic concerns.

• Gain Insight into Contemporary Labor Issues: The film provides a poignant look at the often-unseen realities of the modern workforce.

• Discover a Promising New Voice in Cinema: Laura Carreira's debut feature is a strong and impactful work.

What Movie Trend Film is Following

• Social Realism: "On Falling" firmly aligns with the tradition of social realist cinema, focusing on the everyday lives of working-class individuals and addressing social and economic issues.

• Coming-of-Age in Adulthood: While not a traditional coming-of-age story, Aurora's journey can be seen as a form of navigating adulthood and identity within challenging circumstances.

What Big Social Trend is Following

• The Rise of the Gig Economy and Precarious Work: The film directly addresses the growing trend of the gig economy and the increasing number of individuals facing precarious employment conditions and a lack of job security.

• Immigration and Integration Challenges: Aurora's experience as an immigrant highlights the social trends related to migration and the difficulties individuals face in integrating into new cultures.

Final Verdict

"On Falling" is a remarkable debut feature from Laura Carreira, offering a deeply moving and realistic portrayal of loneliness and resilience in the face of the challenges of the modern gig economy. Anchored by a powerful performance from Joana Santos, the film is a poignant and timely commentary on contemporary social issues, firmly establishing Carreira as a promising voice in social realist cinema.

Recommendations for Film Makers

• Ground Stories in Authentic Realities: Carreira's film demonstrates the power of depicting real-world struggles with sensitivity and nuance.

• Focus on Character-Driven Narratives: Even in films addressing broader social issues, a strong central character allows the audience to connect emotionally with the themes.

• Utilize Subtlety and Atmosphere: The film's subdued tone and reliance on non-verbal cues effectively convey the protagonist's internal state.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Continue to Support Socially Conscious Filmmaking: Films that shed light on important social and economic issues play a vital role in fostering empathy and understanding.

• Provide Opportunities for Emerging Talent: Laura Carreira's successful debut highlights the importance of supporting new filmmakers with distinct voices and perspectives.

• Ensure Distribution for Films Addressing Contemporary Labor Issues: Given the increasing prevalence of precarious work, films like "On Falling" deserve wide distribution to reach audiences who can connect with their themes.