Summer 1993 / System Crasher

This program is presented by the UCLA Film & Television Archive. Part of the UCLA Film & Television Archive screening series Beyond Barbie.

Carla Simón’s tender coming-of-age film follows Frida, a young girl from Barcelona grieving her mother’s untimely death. Sent to live with her uncle’s family in rural Catalonia, Frida struggles with loss and belonging. The film unfolds from her perspective, capturing childhood’s quiet mysteries. Subtly alluding to the early ’90s HIV/AIDS crisis, it never explicitly names the illness. Through evocative performances from its child actors and Simón’s delicate hand, it portrays childhood grief and resilience with stunning, unspoken depth. 

DCP, color, 96 min. Director/Screenwriter: Carla Simón. With: Laia Artigas, Paula Robles, Bruna Cusí, David Verdaguer, Fermí Reixach.

The trauma-fueled rage of a volatile nine-year-old, Benni, pushes her through an endless cycle of foster homes. Actor Helena Zengel (News of the World) astonishes with her full-bodied performance. Avoiding sensationalism, writer-director Nora Fingscheidt immerses us in Benni’s chaotic world, where even the most patient caregivers struggle. The film offers no easy answers, instead it urges viewers to confront the complexities of trauma: How far are we willing to go to help wounded children heal? 

DCP, color, 119 min. Director/Screenwriter: Nora Fingscheidt. With: Helena Zengel, Albrecht Schuch, Gabriela Maria Schmeide, Lisa Hagmeister.