Joanna Hogg’s The Souvenir | 2019 Sundance Film Festival

A punishing yet patiently drawn out drama on how a young woman is weighed down and then circumvents the fragile male ego, Joanna Hogg‘s The Souvenir (which already promises to be an exciting two stepper) feels like vintage aged grapes. A showcase for first-time actress Honor Swinton-Byrne (her mom’s supporting character provides Brit giggles) and Tom Burke in the role of leacher and loiter deluxe, this sophisticated cinema was crowned with Grand Jury Prize World Cinema – Dramatic. We were at the world preem for The Souvenir with Hogg, and her two players providing clarity on the semi autobiographical text and approach and by appearances, Swinton-Byrne excitingly feels up to task for more of the same.