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FORTUNE FAVOURS THE BRAVE (FREMONT)

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

'Fremont' is a black and white film about an Afghan immigrant trying to carve out a new life in California.

It's wry. 

It's resolutely indie.

It's relentlessly charming.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

Filmed in black and white, British Iranian director Babak Jalili's film stars Anaita Wali Zada as Donya, a former translator for US troops who fled Kabul and wound up in the Bay area of California.

Living in an apartment block with other refugees, she commutes from Fremont to San Francisco.

There she wraps fortune cookies in a factory where she befriends a colleague Hilda Schmelling's Joanna.

Donya's boss Eddie Tang's Ricky has a soft spot for her, regaling her with his childhood memories of the fortune cookie factory.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

While he raves about Donya's intelligence, his wife, Jennifer McKay's Lin is less impressed.

Back in Fremont, Donya hangs out with her fellow refugees, watching a soap opera in Arabic at a local restaurant.

But while she glides through her days, she has difficult nights - struggling to sleep and also feeling very lonely.

Referred to Gregg Turkington's therapist Dr Anthony by a fellow resident, the 'White Fang' obsessed psychiatrist tries to probe whether she is plagued by guilt at having left her family behind in Afghanistan.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

However as she starts to focus on the need to find love, by pure chance she comes across Jeremy Allen White's mechanic Daniel.

But will the spark between them ignite?

'Freemont' is one of those indie films that goes about its business at its own languid pace and distinctive style.

Apart from Laura Vallado's gorgeous, unobtrusive black and white cinematography - which instantly recalls the movies of Jim Jarmusch -  it isn't very flashy.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

However it is very effective, with Jalali and Carolina Cavalli's screenplay gently amusing and Vallado's images creating a real sense of intimacy.

Zada anchors the film with a smart, really grounded performance.

When he's onscreen, White injects a different dynamic.

He delivers a delightful supporting performance that trades on his Dustin Hoffman like intensity and is full of charm.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

Turkington too is wonderfully quirky - a scene where he covers his face by hiding behind his briefcase during one session with Donya gets the biggest laugh.

Tang, McKay and Schelling are also wonderful in their supporting roles, while Timur Nusratty shines as one of Sonya's neighbours.

'Freemont' is a very Sundance Film Festival type of movie.

It eschews Hollywood storytelling convention and has a real sense of cinema.

© Music Box Films & Modern Films

Jalili has directed one or the most charming indie movies of 2023.

And while you would expect me to say this, try and catch it on a cinema screen.

That is the best way to truly appreciate it.

('Freemont' was released in UK and Irish cinemas on September 15, 2023)

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