In co-writers/co-directors Dilara and Bianca Foscht’s Day of a Lion, when Dolly (Dilara) and Wanda’s (Bianca) father dies, a conversation about who will get the inheritance begins. Dolly visits her sister, and the two must work together to sweep the dust off the skeletons that lurk in the closets of their lives. Relationships are complex as it is; however, familial relationships can be even more daunting. They are fraught with issues like inheritance, who was favored by which parent, and the proverbial question of who deserves what when a parent dies. The identical twin Foscht sisters provide a masterclass on these complex dynamics.
Filmed in a style reminiscent of a play in the round, Day of a Lion focuses the audience on the rich story written by the Foscht sisters and their requisite acting abilities to bring it to life. The viewer is left to watch and process all the raw emotion brought to the screen as two sisters dig up zombies from their past.
“…when Dolly and Wanda’s father dies, a conversation about who will get the inheritance begins.”
The art of acting and storytelling is alive and well in this character piece. As Wanda and Dolly, the Foschts are a powerhouse. By taking the audience through the full gamut of emotions from playful banter to serious melodrama, their skill at drawing in the viewer is on full display. Dilara Foscht is simply magnetic as Dolly, infusing her character with the right amount of 1950s flair one expects from a woman who has ventured out into the post-World War II era. As Wanda, Bianca Foscht provides the secure anchor that the story relies upon. Her performance is what keeps our feet on the ground throughout the lows and insane highs of the sisters’ interactions.
Set in the late 1950s, everything from the clothing worn by the two sisters to their furniture is selected to convey the time and era in which they live. Audiences will find it hard to look away because of the delicious treat it all becomes when it gels together in a synergy that is unique and enthralling.
Day of a Lion is a film where the quiet things are said out loud. Since it’s staged so intimately, the viewer is never removed from the exposed emotion. Childhood trauma is intermingled with the ghosts of generations past, resulting in a true tour de force. The film is well worth watching for its performances, set pieces, and undeniable reflections on what it means to grow up and still not have complete control.
"…a true tour de force."
