My Happy Family

On her 52nd birthday Manana decides move into her own apartment, leaving the flat where her parents, husband and children live.

The differing lives of women across three generations in a patriarchal society are thrown into contrast by observing them living under one roof. This movie delivers a claustrophobic cacophony of voices, opinions, and relationships. It seems to have spilled onto the screen straight from sitting around a dining table; the family gatherings are so familiar and it all rings noisily true. While the strains of familial encounters are evident, there is also love, and no-one is demonised. Is happiness overrated?

MIFF 2017
119 mins