Sami, Joe and I (2020 | Switzerland | 94 mins | Karin Heberlein)
Teenage strife is the same no matter where you grow up, and Sami, Joe and I digs deep into three such lives that have more than their faire share. While trio of young women have grown up in the same town, they have a diverse family life each with their own set of troubles. One the eldest of a single mom barely able to afford childcare and a roof over their heads, another suffocated by overbearing parents who mean well, and the last the only daughter of a widowed dad trying to support her and her brother emotionally the best he can. What they have in common is love and loyalty beyond what most of us will ever know. As these three kids are thrown into the world of adulthood, whether they like it or not, their metal is tested but not their friendship, supporting each other and pulling no punches. The world is nowhere near perfect, but with someone who believes in you like they do it makes the future all the more bright.
This was a painful journey through the rougher parts of young adulthood. The reality is, what Sami, Joe and Leyla go through is heartbreakingly typical for kids in the lower and middle economic classes. If they were speaking English, this could have been set in any suburban town in America so relating to any three of these women isn’t a difficult task. Assault from an older white man in a powerful position, parents too scared of the world to let their daughter grow and socialize, and a struggling student looking for a way out in an art that may take her where she wants to go… each with their own personal pain and joys. It was a well told story, not really from Leyla’s point of view despite the title, with an uncertain ending that seemed fitting. Our lives don’t have a “good ending point”, they just keep going and we hope that there are more good days than bad.
Sami, Joe and I was shown at the Mill Valley Film Festival. At this time there is no planned release date but keep your eyes peeled for showings at other festivals as well as other streaming opportunities.