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Stars: Charli XCX, Will Madden, Lena Gora
Director: Peter Ohs
Distributor: Vertigo Film Releasing

“How do you say, ‘You’re welcome’?”

In a film that feels almost documentary as it does drama, Charli XCX delivers an excellent performance that feels both honest and real. Captured in the ever wonderful and retro, 4:3, writer-director Peter Ohs takes to the streets of Warsaw to capture a raw piece of filmmaking that establishes relationships and identity as a dual spectacle.

Bethany and Rob (Charli XCX and Will Madden respectively) venture out to Warsaw for a holiday, where he has planned to propose, whilst she suspects that he will indeed propose. A routine holiday abroad; tourist destinations visited and a fancy dinner booked way in advance, all seems fairly fine and basic until…Mt. Etna erupts, causing both holiday extensions and rescheduled flights. In this time, Bethany finds herself reminiscing over a previous visit to Warsaw during her school days, where a volcanic eruption also took place.

Bethany’s evocative reminiscence reconnects her with local florist, Nel (Lena Gora), who she caused havoc together in years gone by. The reunification of their friendship, in parallel to that of a dormant volcano, sees eruptions of spontaneous moments and neglect of why Bethany initially came to Warsaw on this occasion.

Throughout, as Bethany re-immerses herself with Warsaw and especially that of Nel, there is a harsh wonder of how and why Bethany and Rob became a couple. Something just doesn’t sit right about them as a couple. With Rob left to roam the streets of Warsaw, hoping to establish a closure of this holiday, and Bethany reigniting the flame of her friendship with Nel, we begin to question why these relationships exist, how individuality can co-exist, and the inevitable heartbreak and dismay for those involved. Whether one resonates with Bethany, Rob, or Nel, the spectacle of relationships and belonging/not belonging, is absolutely heartbreaking at times.

From a variety of apartments to a florist, and endless concrete surroundings, the rawness and grit of Warsaw is captured in a filmmaking style that mirrors that same attitude and vibe. Whilst both Bethany and Rob are tourists in Warsaw, the difference in their embracement of location is not only divine, but also depicts a fine representation of their respective individuality. Bethany becomes one with the people and location, whilst Rob still has that stranger’s attitude.

From Peter Ohs, Erupcja is a fascinating art movie. Equipped with fantastic visuals, harsh dialogue, and a wonderfully stripped down performance from Charli XCX, Erupcja deserves plenty of exposure.