In this panoramic family drama from Oscar-nominated Palestinian director Scandar Copti (Ajami, TIFF ʼ09), a ruinous mixture of personal quests, poor choices, and intractable social pressures test the stamina of cherished relationships, both well-worn and still blooming.
A minor car accident in Jerusalem threatens major problems for Fifi (Manar Shehab), unless she can stay one step ahead of her intuitive mother. Studying away from home has afforded her a new sense of autonomy — a chance to be her own person — but after waking up in a hospital room surrounded by her family, she will have to decide quickly how much of her new self she will let them see.
Back in Haifa, Fifi’s headstrong brother Rami (Toufic Danial) is harbouring his own secrets. His girlfriend’s recent epiphany has rocked his casual faith in the future, leaving him in a tense battle between ego and paranoia. Not knowing where to turn, Rami fixates, trying to assess his ability to sway an outcome that may be, ultimately, beyond his control.
In this panoramic family drama, there are no perfect characters, but everyone’s opinion matters. Structured like a vine of interior portraits, a ruinous mixture of personal quests, poor choices, and intractable social pressures test the stamina of cherished relationships, both well-worn and still blooming. Bit by bit, the fractured foundation of one lie gives way to another until all that’s left is the truth.
An incisive second feature from Oscar-nominated director Scandar Copti (Ajami, TIFF ʼ09), containing abundant memorable performances, Happy Holidays traces the cracks of compounding social divides down to their most intimate and insidious fault lines.
NATALEAH HUNTER-YOUNG
Content advisory: violence, mature themes
Screenings
Scotiabank 8
TIFF Lightbox 3
Scotiabank 10