The Plastic House

How do you cope with loss and grief? How do you cling on to life after the loss of beloved persons? Allison Chhorn’s film is the careful self-portrait of a girl trying to face the piercing pain of the absence of her parents. She decides to care of the family’s green house as in an attempt to restore a lost balance. Memories intertwine with the passing seasons. Chhorn’s camera closely observes the daily chores as if from a distant shore but with a great deal of sensitivity and affection. Her inobtrusive gaze is a testimony to a deeply felt solidarity. The camera reframes the universe while piecing together every gesture and action. Seasons go by and sometimes the work seems pointless while the waves of pain resurface even though the heart fights hard to keep them at bay. The Plastic House is a moving elegy to the resilient dignity of life that keeps us standing even in the face of the most painful tragedies. A visual poem of stunning beauty whose simple and yet extremely multifaceted beauty prove an accomplished directorial talent.

Giona A. Nazzaro