Cast
View All
Saura Lightfoot Leon
as Maria
Joseph Quinn
as Michael
Hayley Squires
as Cynthia
Lily-Beau Leach
as Young Maria
Deba Hekmat
as Laraib
Samantha Spiro
as Michelle
Cathy Tyson
as Sam
Nabil Elouahabi
as Ali
Frankie Wilson
as Anthony
Sam John
as Jordan
Saulius Cajauskas
as Paramedic
Ceara Coveney
as Leah
Sarah Rose Denton
as Social Worker
Sandra Hale
as Janice
Alexis Tuttle
as Mrs. Norwood
Crew
Director
- Luna Carmoon
Writer
- Luna Carmoon
Producer
- Loran Dunn
- Helen Simmons
- Andrew Starke
Reviews
CinemaSerf
The young "Maria" (Lily-Beau Leach) lives with her loving mum (Hayley Squires) in an home full to the brim of junk. Some of it just bric-a-brac, some of it more distasteful and unhealthy, but the pair rub along well enough scavenging their way through skips and bins. "Maria" has a tough time at school and doesn't really fit in, so when an accident at home sees her put into foster care, she has quite a bit of adjusting to do under the care of the savvy "Michelle" (Samantha Spiro). Now we scoot forward to her late teens where she (now Saura Lightfoot-Leon) is still living with "Michelle" and seemingly quite a content. One morning it's announced that "Michael" (Joseph Quinn), who was a former charge, is coming to stay for a while whilst his housing is sorted out. He's a decent cove with a girlfriend expecting a baby. Almost immediately he arrives, the two click. Not quite in any conventional sense, but there does seem to be something between them, and understanding. It's this that starts "Maria" thinking of her past, pining for it even - especially when a delivery man presents her with something entirely unexpected in a small package! With the two of them living increasingly closely, how might their relationship develop? Now this isn't for the squeamish. Right from the start we experience the rather sticky downsides of their quite grubby way of life, and as the story moves to it's second phase it becomes a potent, if shallow, character study of two people that just don't conform. The problem for me here is that the drama goes nowhere. It's a sequence of observations of the life of a woman that I didn't feel I knew on any level at all. Her behaviour is unsettling but it seemed to me that was so that the audience could feel unsettled, squirm in our chairs a bit, rather than because the character of "Maria" was evolving in any way. Indeed she seems to retrogress as the film just becomes increasingly tasteless and contrived. It's rare to see people leave an arthouse cinema mid-film, but they did during this. I didn't, but I am not at all sure what the point was, or to whom this is aimed. It has it's moments and at times is really visceral, but sorry - by the end I found it all just a bit too introspective and dull.
May 20, 2024
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Hoard examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of contemporary challenges that mirror our own experiences. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Luna Carmoon brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 2024, the film exists within a cultural context that continues to evolve with our understanding of its themes. Its critical acclaim reflects its artistic achievements and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Hoard took approximately 14 months from pre-production to final cut.
- The final cut of the film runs for 126 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 154 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 13 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 1974 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 2024, when this film is released:
- Climate change mitigation had become a central policy concern internationally.
- Streaming platforms had largely replaced traditional cinema and television models.
- Streaming platforms were disrupting traditional distribution models and changing how audiences consumed films.
How This Film Stands Out
While Hoard shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike In the Wake, which focuses more on action than character development, Hoard offers a fresh perspective through its innovative visual language and narrative structure.
While films like Coming to America and Quién te cantará explore similar territory, Hoard stands apart through its distinctive directorial vision and pacing.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its thoughtful balance of entertainment value and thematic depth, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: May 17, 2024
- Runtime: 2h 6m
Where to Watch
