UK PREMIERE Dad Ed and daughter Flower have yet to recover from the death of Flower’s mother in childbirth. When the surviving boy, Garnet, turns eight, the toll of the emotional neglect he’s suffered becomes all too clear. Ed cannot connect with his children on an emotional level and Flower – with issues of her own to deal with – is growing tired of the role of surrogate mother. This assured, confident first feature from Canadian Film Centre graduate Keith Behrman deftly avoids melodrama to become a subtle coming-of-age tale for all three protagonists. You can’t help but sympathise with these believable characters played to perfection by a trio of very talented actors. Behrman’s sharp observations and his gentle tone draw the viewer deep within the story until the isolation, frustration, hope and wonder of this damaged family is experienced rather than witnessed, all the way to a jolting climax. Official selection, Berlin International Film Festival 2003