Second Chance – a high altitude tale of hope and kindness from filmmaker Subhadra Mahajan (Belfast Film Festival at Queen’s Film Theatre) #BFF24

Second Chance is a beautiful slow hug of a film.

After a pregnancy scare and being ghosted by her boyfriend, 25-year-old Nia (Dheera Johnson) takes some time out and heads up to a village in the snowy heights of the Himalayas. Mobile coverage is patchy, the weather is extreme, but she’s close to nature and enjoys the different pace of life. But she’s not alone. As well as cooking and cleaning and spinning wool to earn extra money, the cabin’s housekeeper Bhemi (Thakra Devi) is responsible for a boisterous and Superman-obsessed grandson Sunny (Kanav Thakur).

The setting is suited to the black and white cinematography, and the coolness of the climate is soon in sharp contrast to the sense of understanding and gratitude that develops between Nia, Bhemi and Sunny. Into the mix comes an ex-boyfriend and his wife who provide (on balance) more comfort than regret. There’s also unexpected companionship courtesy of a beautiful kitten (Supercat played by Yuki).

While parents worry about Nia’s life mission to curate blends of tea, or create vegan nightwear, there are more pressing matters to be resolved. The healing trajectory of Nia’s sojourn in the hills is interrupted by further heartache in scenes that gently explore her choice in contrast with the tragic experience of Bhemi’s daughter/Sunny’s mum.

Indian writer/director Subhadra Mahajan crafts a gentle tale that is imbued with hope, kindness and a stern resolve to make good decisions rather than be pulled along by other people’s wishes. Hopefully this film will make its way into the QFT programme in months to come to give Belfast cinemagoers a Second Chance to enjoy it.

Belfast Film Festival continues until Saturday 9 November.

 

Appreciated this review? Why not click on the Buy Me a Tea button!