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Joanna Hogg's Film School Saga Hits BBC
29 Jan
Summary
- The Souvenir films are available on BBC iPlayer.
- The films depict Joanna Hogg's semi-autobiographical time at film school.
- Honor Swinton Byrne stars as Julie, in a leading debut role.
The critically acclaimed films, The Souvenir and The Souvenir Part II, released in 2019 and 2021 respectively, are now available on BBC iPlayer.
Directed and written by Joanna Hogg, the films offer a semi-autobiographical glimpse into her time at film school. They chronicle the journey of Julie, portrayed by Honor Swinton Byrne in her leading debut, focusing on her intense relationship with an older man, Anthony.
The first film, set in 1980s London, follows film student Julie's entanglement with the suave Anthony, leading to heartache. Critics lauded the film, with Peter Bradshaw of The Guardian awarding it five stars and praising its elegant depiction of young love and artistic emergence.
Despite critical acclaim, with a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, audience reception has been mixed, with a 37% approval. While some viewers found the film "spellbinding" and praised its cinematic direction and dreamlike aesthetic, others found it uncompelling and disengaging.
