New England Premiere SILVER HAZE

United Kingdom 2023 - DCP - 102 minutes, in English

Director, Screenplay: Sacha Polak

Producers: Marleen Slot

Cast: Vicky Knight, Esme Creed-Miles, Charlotte Knight, Archie Brigden

Print Courtesy: Dark Star Pictures

“Silver Haze” is the name of a strain of cannabis that Franky (Vicky Knight), the central character of this gritty, strong film, happens to be growing. The name also points to both the literal smoke of Franky’s past and the smokescreens that Franky uses to protect herself—until she dares to find a relationship with Florence (Esmé Creed-Miles). Florence certainly has some major issues of her own, but is able to break through to something that had seemingly been lost in Franky, who finally dares to show herself to the world. In the 50s and 60s, the brand of tough, realistic drama that director Sacha Polak gives us in a very much more contemporary way in Silver Haze was called “kitchen sink realism.” But while Silver Haze is certainly not fluff, it’s a terrific evocation of life, both hard and joyous.