When Canadian journalist Maya (Nicolette Pearse) travels to Athens to visit her expectant best friend Rebecca (Brenna Coates), her journey into the underground queer club scene introduces her to the seductive dancer Samar (Amanda Babaei Vieira). Attraction is immediately sparked, setting the stage for a tumultuous affair in a culture in which it must be hidden.
In her fourth feature film, director Anita Doron brings to life a cautionary tale about opportunistic journalism and exploitation. Set against the backdrop of the European refugee crisis, Maya & Samar explores the friction between a passionately aggressive romantic fling, the ethics of media voyeurism and the instinct for personal survival.
As Maya, Nicolette Pearse delivers an exuberant, magnetic performance. She embodies an idealistic writer whose personal awakening prompts actions she believes are benevolent, all while remaining oblivious to the collateral damage in her wake. Always with a camera in hand, Maya believes that capturing the discrimination and plight of the world that Samar resides in and sharing it in her magazine will save Samar from it. As Samar, Iranian-German actress and performance artist Amanda Babaei Vieira infuses the screen with a vibrant energy. Her Samar is independent and courageous in light of the circumstances that she lives in. Both women share a strong chemistry that becomes more evident as the film progresses and their relationship grows in raw complexity.
Maya and Samar share a quiet, serious conversation on a cushioned sofa in Maya & Samar.
“Attraction is immediately sparked, setting the stage for a tumultuous affair in a culture in which it must be hidden.”
Written by award-winning novelist Tamara Faith Berger, one may expect another story about forbidden queer love and end up pleasantly surprised with Maya & Samar. Berger subverts conventional queer romance tropes, taking the dynamic in an unexpected direction that turns the traditional savior complex on its head. Blending familiar elements while steering the narrative down an unconventional path is what makes this film both intriguing and a potential missed opportunity to make a more impactful statement. All in all, it is refreshing to see a different approach here; it just leaves one to wonder where else things could have gone.
This is a film that is unafraid to say what it sets out to say. Cinematographer Christina Moumouri masterfully guides us through the sun-drenched streets of Athens and down into the neon-clad nightlife. The story is rich and titillating while never losing focus on the dichotomy between journalistic freedom and sheer exploitation for personal gain. The burdens of displacement, cultural clash, and social discrimination are rendered with striking clarity. Driven by standout lead performances and an unpredictable thematic destination, Maya & Samar is a compelling watch well worth seeking out.
"…A cautionary tale about opportunistic journalism and exploitation..."
