Matthew Briody looks at sibling strains in his review of September Says.
The ties that bind are pushed to breaking point in Ariane Labed’s outstanding feature-length debut, which is supported by Screen Ireland and includes Sackville Film and Television Productions and Element Pictures among the producers. Adapted from Daisy Johnson’s 2020 novel, Sisters, September Says deconstructs the family unit by focusing on the unorthodox relationship between two sisters, September (Pascale Kann) and July (Mia Tharia). After an incident at their school, September is suspended and July makes some decisions which have disastrous consequences for them both. Their mother, Sheela (Rakhee Thakrar), takes the two girls on a holiday to Ireland — where a strange series of events frays the bond shared by all three of them.
Labed has already built up an impressive résumé in front of the camera, ever since she made her debut in the 2010 film Attenberg, which won her the Volpi Cup for Best Actress. In 2011, she starred in the Yorgos Lanthimos film Alps. It is fitting that one of Labed’s early film roles was with Lanthimos, as her stylistic leaning as a director shares his offbeat pacing and strong characterisation.
From the unconventional family dynamic to the two sisters developing their own unique language, September Says is reminiscent of Dogtooth in its puzzling portrayal of those bonded by blood. From the very first scene, it is evident that this is no ordinary family. While they can freely embrace their unusual customs at home, school is a much less forgiving environment. September and July are outcasts — mocked for their unshaven armpits. September attempts to protect July, but this often tips over into something controlling. She asks July increasingly uncomfortable questions — like whether July would die, just because she did. This escalates as their strange story progresses.
In the eponymous role of September, Pascale Kann is unforgettable. It is unfathomable that this is her first time in front of the camera. She asserts her performance, just as September takes charge of July, and remains nothing short of a force of nature on screen. Mia Tharia’s portrayal of July is vulnerable and raw — exhibiting all the insecurities faced by a teenage girl — and plays the perfect foil to September’s aggression. As the matriarch, Rakhee Thakrar’s Sheela embodies the stress of a flawed and conflicted mother struggling to keep her family together. Between her absurd photoshoots and quirks, Sheela sometimes fails to understand her responsibilities in raising two daughters on her own. This is evident when she brings September and July to one of her art exhibitions — Sheela is much more comfortable in the company of her peers.
Having already written and directed a short film and directed for television, Ariane Labed seamlessly solidifies her transition from actress to writer-director — and this feature film debut has been highly anticipated. Employing bold visuals and leaning into close-up, static shots, Labed’s direction entices audiences into the strange world of these three complex women. Her script is both subtle and at times shocking, while never shying away from the darker themes which fester beneath the surface. Some viewers may struggle with the pacing of the film, or certain distressing elements, but with September Says, Ariane Labed has crafted something quite unique. In this powerful tale of sisterhood, blood proves to be much, much thicker than water.
September Says is available to stream online now.
