There are few things more frustrating than a film that just misses the mark. One made with care and sincerity, building its way toward a thoughtful message that then fails to land. Goodwill and beautiful visuals can go a long way, but if a film has something to say and can’t quite say it, it ends up difficult to truly enjoy. Such is the case with Maya & Samar, the latest from director Anita Doron.
The film follows Maya (Nicolette Pearse), a journalist working for an online publication, visiting an old friend, Rebecca (Brenna Coates), in Athens. Rebecca has settled down somewhat, so when she goes to bed, Maya goes to a rave with a mutual friend. There, she takes drugs and meets Samar (Amanda Babaei Vieira) on a dance floor. There is an instant connection, a passionate kiss, and then a parting.
Unable to stop thinking about Samar, Maya tracks her down at the strip club where she works. Maya confesses that she both wants to write a story about this Afghan sex worker, and that she very much wants to fuck her, too. Neither Maya nor this film is subtle.
Link: https://exclaim.ca/film/article/maya-and-samar-review
