Sacred Heart (Cuore Sacro)

Workaholic Irene (Barbora Bobulova) is a steadfast businesswoman at the helm of a family property firm, with her sights set firmly on furthering its profits under the watchful eye of her aunt Eleonora (Lisa Gastoni). The suicide of her two best friends coupled with her company's acquisition of her late mothers' residence proves an unnerving series of events. These awaken deep feelings of loss and regret, and faded memories of her mothers' mental illness. At the same time, Irene strikes an unlikely friendship with shoplifter Benny (Camille Dugay Comencini), an enigmatic teenager who distracts her from her grief. The rapport between Irene and Benny is well-played, and a key strand of the film. Benny is both a young thief and Samaritan; and following her lead Irene is drawn towards putting all her energies towards helping the needy at the church; to both personal and professional detriment. Irene becomes increasingly vulnerable and her spirit is eroded by deep empathy and catharsis. She feels she has connected with a second, 'Sacred' heart; the film's namesake, and one of her mother's esoteric beliefs. The lead, Bobulova's performance strengthens and intensifies as her character's sanity weakens. This is a powerful arthouse film: beautifully filmed, poetically scripted, and played out with soul. [Yasmin Ali]