What gives you a sense of freedom? In such moments, when everything is wrong, when the world is falling apart, what gives you hope and the thought that maybe all is not lost? For Thomas, who lives on an island in the Indian Ocean, the whole world is breakdancing. It is through it that he expresses himself. It is an escape from problems, and these are growing in number…. 

Reunion Island is magical. When you watch the shots of lusciously green forests, it seems to a person as if they got to paradise. But these are only illusions. Behind these picturesque images play out the dramas of people, including Thomas and his sister, who has just given birth to a baby girl. The underage siblings are thrown out of their home by their own mother, who has started a life with a new partner. Social services try to find a place for them, but the only way for them to stay together is to move in with their father, who years ago had already started his own family. But this is only the beginning of their problems. 

The restless Thomas takes refuge in dancing. He just made it to the finals of the Battle of the Year in breakdancing, and it’s the only thing that keeps him sane. Unfortunately, only until later. He has no control over his anger and has a constant grudge against his mother, who is completely unconcerned about the fate of her children. When he ends up in a juvenile detention center after breaking into her apartment, it seems that he is starting to come out on top. However, the past catches up with him at the least expected moments. “Just let him dance,” says his tutor to the police who want to detain him. And so, with his dance he captivates the audience – everyone can see that there is something frantic but also liberating in his movements. This is how Thomas grasps at the remains of his freedom – this is what gives his life meaning. 

There is also a harrowing portrait of his sister, who not only faces family problems, but in addition can’t count on the father of her child at all, who doesn’t feel responsible for anything. Instead of going to work or taking care of the child, he plays computer games all day long. He abuses aggression, is possessive and dangerous. However, the woman is strong. She is moved by this confidence and power with which she refuses to accept such a life. I think we can envy her such courage, but also draw on it when things are bad. 

Grégory Lucilly’s film is harrowing. It asks the question of what the limit of the pain is we can endure before something inside us cracks and we start screaming loudly in disagreement with the reality that affects us. In such moments it is important to have something that gives us a sense of freedom and a screening of life. For Thomas it was dance, and for his sister it was motherhood.  

The film Mum Don’t Love Me No Mo’ (dir. Grégory Lucilly) is to be seen at the 18th Mastercard OFF CAMERA as part of the Boys Will Be Boys section, of which SEXEDPL is a partner.  

Screening list:  

• 04/05/2025 | 15:00 | Sala Niebieska | Kino Pod Baranami 

Kinga Majchrzak