Dir: Freddy McDonald | Thriller 95’ 2024
A girl inherits her mother’s failing sewing business but soon finds herself spinning the perfect crime with the tools of her trade in this ingenious, if repetitive, feature debut from Freddy McDonald screening at the Locarno International Film Festival’s 77th edition
Barbara’s mother’s has only one customer left – and boy is she difficult and rude. Grace Vessier (Caroline Goodall) is getting married for the third time — her house is in an Alpine valley; providing the film with its stunning scenery. Quite why it’s set in Switzerland is never explained as all the characters speak English.
During the fraught fitting Barbara (Eve Connolly) drops a vital pearl button from Grace’s dress, so she must rush back to base on a life-changing journey. And it’s here that matters turn criminal. On the road back Barbara comes across an accident – or is it? Two bleeding bikers (Calum Worth, John Lynch), a briefcase, two guns and several bags of a white powder are strewn across the tarmac.
Sew Torn is a tricksy bit of Neo noir Macdonald making use of repetative motifs in a multi-stranded narrative that mulls over Barbara’s possible options in what soon emerges is a botched drug deal.
Should she commit the “Perfect crime… Call the police… Drive away.” Her mind whirls with questions. At first she thinks of driving off with the briefcase, presumably full of loot. Barbara mulls over the three options, each is explored with their various outcomes, and this is where the repetitive element kicks in. None are ideal but probably the final one that involves a dance routine in a bar is watchable. Barbara may have an ailing business on her hands but she sure is imaginative. MeredithTaylor
LOCARNO INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL | AUGUST 2024