FREMONT (2023)

 

Edited & Directed By: Babak Jalali

Written By: Babak Jalali And Carolina Cavalli

Cinematography: Laura Valladao 

Cast: Anaita Wali Zara, Jeremy Allen White, Gregg Turkington, Hilda Schmelling 

Donya works for a Chinese fortune cookie factory. Formerly a translator for the U.S. military, she struggles to put her life back in order. In a moment of sudden revelation, she decides to send out a special message in a cookie.

Titled after the region in California. The film takes a poetic look at the region through the eyes of a recent immigrant Donya, who works in a fortune cookie factory.

She suffers from insomnia and we are introduced to the various characters in her new life and day-to-day encounters.

There are plenty of moments that are beautiful and off the wall. Anchored by humanity, soul, and deadpan humor that will remind the audience of the films of Jim Jarmusch 

Though this film isn’t as hip,  It's Practically more suburban than urban. However, it does showcase all the character's loneliness and their desire to seek out someone or others to connect and communicate with, who understands them. It can be a longing for home, community, or others even if just a single recognition. 

Which is where the film taps into a universal truth. Here etched across the screen in black and white that always offers a timelessness but also for as vivid as that can be. It also showcases the bland and colorless lives of these characters and their emotions. Which they all hold close to their chest. Rarely if ever an outburst. 

The film conserves its energy and never quite becomes vivid, but it stays of interest. More like watching an artist work on a still life you recognize but also is foreign to you at the same time. Where you want to explore.

The characters even with their various eccentricities feel real and with a cast full of lesser-known or first-time actors. Who have lived in faces. You are constantly aware you are watching a film. Even if for Its dreamlike nature, it feels close enough to reality for you to believe 

at this time seems to be getting more attention for the actor Jeremy Allen White being in the cast though his role is less supporting and bigger than a cameo and doesn't come into the third act. However if it helps get eyes on the film that helps.

Grade: C+