A woman's deadbeat life changes when she meets her new BFF, in writer-director Harry Cepka’s debut film — a unique take on female friendship and the influence of class on contemporary relationships.

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Discovery

Raf

Harry Cepka

Raf (Grace Glowicki) is facing eviction from her shabby basement apartment in Vancouver's unlivable housing market. A landscaper by day and high school janitor by night, Raf is contently sleepwalking through life — consumed with boring relationships, friends who don't respect her, and bosses who take advantage of her unwillingness to assert herself. That is, until she meets Tal (Jesse Stanley), a rich, loud, and empowered young woman who quickly befriends Raf and makes enough of an impression to change everything. As Tal's interest grows, she begins to influence Raf's decisions, while also giving Raf the confidence to make some herself.

Writer-director Harry Cepka's debut feature is eccentric and pleasantly unique. It's infused with the pulsating excitement that comes when you connect with someone new, and with the cynicism and absurdity of realizing things have gone awry. It's also an emotionally intelligent exploration of how class factors into the development of contemporary relationships.

Raf is a true two-hander. Newcomer Stanley is terrific in a breakout role, and Glowicki is electric as Raf, recalling the bizarre comic energy of Gilda Radner and the wild expressionism and delicate absurdity of Jim Carrey. Raf is a bold film with a fresh style from an intriguing new voice.

RAVI SRINIVASAN

Screenings

Tue Sep 10

Scotiabank 7

Press
10:30am
Tue Sep 10

TIFF Bell Lightbox 3

Regular
9:00pm
Thu Sep 12

Jackman Hall (AGO)

Regular
9:00am
Fri Sep 13

Scotiabank 8

Press
3:00pm
Sat Sep 14

Scotiabank 6

Regular
12:00pm