A directors debut film is always an important one. It allows them to showcase their skill behind the camera and make their voice heard through the art of filmmaking. With My Eternal Summer, Sylvia Le Fanu makes her voice heard with a drama that is both understated and heart-breaking. The film aims to show all the pain, laughter and tears that comes with the acceptance of death in a grounded manner.
The film follows 15-year old Fanny as she spends her first summer after finishing school with her family as they prepare to say goodbye to her dying mother. Over this summer, they all have to learn to live before the inevitable happens.
Le Fanu's directing here shows an incredible amount of restraint. She manages to find a halfway point between it being a slice of life and heartfelt family drama. This approach lends itself to the performances and general dynamic of the whole family. The slice of life angle allows for moments of calming normality despite what looms over all of them. There is a certain tenderness to these scenes that makes the film feel real. A lot of this also comes down to Kaya Toft Loholt's performance as Fanny. She does a lot with what she's given and during any scenes of drama, she really delivers.
However, it is this blend of styles which can affect the films pacing on more than one occasion. For as tender as these moments are, there can be a few instances where it makes the film drag slightly. It works at times but can feel counterproductive in others.
There are also instances of missed opportunity. Obviously there is only so far Le Fanu can go with pushing the drama of a situation like this but it could have gone further in places. The film could have easily delved more into the consequences of Fanny's action leading to more tension. Whether it's arguments with her dad or small acts of defiance with her friends, there is a dramatic core that could have been explored to a greater extent.
With that being said, the film does a brilliant job of bringing it all together in its final moments. The way in which it addresses the inevitability of the mother's death is beautifully handled and strikes an emotional chord that works. My Eternal Summer, in terms of its direction, is very impressive but its the film as a whole that feels like it needs an extra something.
My Eternal Summer is currently screening at London Film Festival 2024