Daughter of the Sun

I saw this film at Fantasia film fest, and must say that it was by FAR the best film I saw at the festival, if not one of the best I've seen ever. There is no other film I have seen like this one.

The dreamlike imagery, the emotional depth of the characters, the ethereal story about a father and daughter who have the power to see to another side of life are all profoundly moving and act to guide us to another realm of experience. The film has a sense of intimacy and immediacy to it, while at the same time feeling grand in its scope. I also loved the blending of genres. On the surface the film feels like a starkly real drama, and then the fantasy element is introduced. Somehow the film manages to balance these two poles perfectly, which I found refreshing and original.

The father-daughter story is the heart of the movie and yet, there are several other characters who are portrayed with nuance and depth, especially the young actress with down syndrome, whose final speech is superb. All of the acting in this film is extremely strong, and strongest of all are the two leads who carry the story to truly heartbreaking climax.

The vintage look, gorgeous cinematography, and analog visual effects (all deliberate choices according to the filmmakers in the q&a) combine to create a nostalgic feeling, as though our heroine were recounting the past. All of these elements act to pull you into the story and I found myself mesmerized by it. By the time the credits rolled my hair was standing on end.

Incredible cinema of the highest order.