TIFF 2024: Sweet Angel Baby (With Movie Trailer)
Get ready for Sweet Angel Baby, the latest heart-tugging drama by Melanie Oates, making its world premiere at TIFF 2024. This film takes a deep dive into the complexities of identity, conformity, and queerness in a close-knit fishing town in Newfoundland. It’s a beautiful yet intense journey through the messy terrain of secrecy, personal growth, and the cost of living an authentic life.
The Story
Meet Eliza (played by Michaela Kurimsky). She’s the small-town girl everyone loves – she’s at church every Sunday, bakes bread, and fits in perfectly with her mom and grandmother. But Eliza has a hidden side that no one in her conservative fishing community knows about.
When she’s alone in the woods, Eliza takes on an anonymous online persona, posting provocative photos of herself in a bikini and ski mask. Her secret identity thrives online, but her life in the real world remains a mystery to those closest to her. But that’s not her only secret. Eliza is also in a private relationship with Toni (Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers), an outsider to the town, adding another layer of complexity to her already complicated life.
When a chance encounter with a married man threatens to expose everything, Eliza’s carefully constructed world begins to fall apart. As her secrets come crashing down, she’s forced to face the judgment of her community, her family, and even herself.
Why You’ll Love It
Sweet Angel Baby is more than just a coming-of-age story – it’s a raw exploration of what happens when you live between two worlds. Melanie Oates does a fantastic job portraying the conflict between living authentically and the crushing pressure to conform in a small town. Michaela Kurimsky delivers a moving performance, making Eliza’s struggles feel real and relatable.
The film also masterfully weaves in themes of queerness, shame, and the delicate balance of hiding parts of ourselves to survive. It’s a film that speaks to anyone who’s ever felt like they had to hide who they truly are to fit in.
When to Watch at TIFF 2024
- Thursday, September 5 – Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 4:30 pm
- Monday, September 9 – TIFF Lightbox, 4:00 pm
- Tuesday, September 10 – Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 2:10 pm
- Friday, September 13 – Scotiabank Theatre Toronto, 9:00 pm
Don’t miss out on this heartfelt film that explores the highs and lows of keeping secrets, and what it really means to find your true self.
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