The directorial debut from award-winning screenwriter Rebecca Lenkiewicz (Ida, Disobedience), Hot Milk is an intimate exploration of self-discovery, desire, and the complex bonds that shape us. Set against the sun-drenched Spanish coast, a young woman discovers that the people in her life - her ailing mother, and a mysterious lover - may not be exactly who she thought they were. Secrets, lies, and revelations lead her to doors that might be best left unopened. Based on the acclaimed novel by Deborah Levy and featuring compelling performances from Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw and Vicky Krieps, this is a vivid and evocative look at liberation and longing.

The Garden Cinema View:

Adapting Deborah Levy’s slippery and psychological novels can be challenging for filmmakers - apologies to Swimming Home - but Rebecca Lenkiewicz’ Hot Milk admirably distils the essence of Levy’s central mother-daughter dichotomy, whilst adding something cinematic in the setting and visuals. Credit to Christopher Blauvelt (who has collaborated so successfully with Kelly Reichardt) for photographing the Almerían coast in such immersive and authentic fashion. Rugged mountains, arid desert, polytunnel farming, and abandoned construction lend a rough edge to the calm (if rugged) natural splendour of the Mediterranean. There’s a less successful veer towards melodrama in the closing act, but solid lead performances from Fiona Shaw (teasing out Levy’s peculiar humour) and Emma Mackey (always good with internalised desire and anger) means this doesn’t sting too much.  

Cast:
Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, Vicky Krieps, Vincent Perez, Patsy Ferran, Yann Gael, Vangelis Mourikis