Silver Haze tells the story of Franky, a nurse who begins a whirlwind relationship with one of her patients, leading her to embrace her past and confront her emotions.
As LGBTQ+ stories go, this one feels similar in the sense that someone discovers themselves and their sexuality, but we are treated to an alternative lens through the way the story unfolds. The character of Franky is rightfully plagued by a fire which left her badly burnt as a child. She wants answers and is encouraged to focus on the revengeful hate that has affected her heavily, even though she knows deep down that those actions won’t get her what she needs. This is the second film that actor Vicky Knight and Writer/Director Sasha Polak have worked on together, with this one focused more on truth and realness rather than fiction. Vicky gives us all of her, in body and backstory, trusting us with the love and hatred she has felt. It’s really sweet to see Vicky’s sister Charlotte play her character’s sister in the film. Whilst watching, I so admired their written relationship, so it was special to learn of their real life connection.
I was slightly worried by the film when I first read about it, expecting the typical working-class story where trauma overpowers the joy through social realism. But the story is filled with compassion and warmth which conquers the sadness, and makes it feel even more genuine to life. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t a love story, and you’ll be hit with waves of emotions and worries, but Vicky Knight plays an incredible protagonist who you’ll want to care for and journey with.
The film’s writer and director, Sasha Polak, spends the film emphasising how important finding yourself is, and how that can be done through being given the space and correct people to help you work through your emotions. It feels like all the characters in the film are searching for something. Whether through paths like dating or religion, so many elements bought the characters together, seeing them support and care for each other, whilst also taking the time to individually explore and heal. There were also strikes of separation and illness, to emphasise that life isn’t often the linear plan we expect.
There were some beautiful moments through the cinematography which emphasised this, when characters are stood alone in their thoughts, even looking at themselves in a mirror. This wasn’t just one person’s story, but the lives of all the people around them too.
Away from the lead storyline, the others didn’t feel like they were competing for airtime, instead accompanied Franky’s journey in a fair and authentic way. I’ve seen some mixed thoughts because of this, some people calling it messy, but I really enjoyed seeing the worlds we were allowed into. Looking to the physical, seeing the juxtaposition between London and Southend was really interesting. It showed how locations can become home, and how you’re able to find yourself from being somewhere different. The blue skies and ice creams on the beach were a dream compared to Franky’s childhood home, even more so when her sister fully takes over their bedroom. Although as someone who didn’t quite understand the geography of the travel (I’m not from that part of the country), it emphasised the dreamy haze that often fell over Franky’s life, allowing her to quickly and freely be in multiple places and as multiple people, until she’d figured out what she truly wanted.
Silver Haze allows us to follow someone discovering their sexuality, style and even purpose within the family unit, showing us how found family can be just as important as blood relatives.
Silver Haze is screening as part of BFI Flare Festival