Australia | Greece | UK 2025
Opening July 3, 20 

Directed by: Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Writing credits: Rebecca Lenkiewicz, Deborah Levy'
Principal actors: Emma Mackey, Fiona Shaw, Vicky Krieps, Vincent Perez, Yann Gael, Patsy Ferran

Rose (Fiona Shaw), age sixty-four, and her daughter Sofia (Emma Mackey) travel from London to Almeria, Spain, to visit Dr. Gomez (Vincent Perez) for a medical prescription. Rose, unable to walk, moves in a wheelchair with the help of Sofia. They have no car, because Sofia keeps failing her driver’s license tests. They often take a taxi. Their goal is to go walking along the surrounding cliff.  With the help of care giver/psychotherapist Julieta, Sofia can take time off to explore the beautiful neighborhood along the shore of the Mediterranean Sea. In this way she befriends another young girl, Ingrid (Vicky Krieps), riding by on a horse. Their relationship develops seriously with scenes of them kissing, even standing together naked in the shower. Ingrid also has a boyfriend: Matty (Yann Gael) who often hangs out with them. Rose has Sofia under control and becomes jealous, even angry over Sofia’s friendship with Ingrid.

The film begins with the title of an exhibit by artist Louise Bourgeois on September 25, 2024: “I’ve been to hell and back and let me tell you, it was wonderful.” Throughout the film there are mentions of secrets, many pertaining to family members. Rose left her husband Christos, supposedly Sofia’s father, when Sofia was four years old, and had further relationships. Eventually Sofia visits Christos in his home in Greece. Sofia is supposedly studying anthropology and writing about Margaret Mead. We wonder: is Rose truly hampered? Is the word on the shirt “beloved” or “beheaded”? What does the title Hot Milk refer to? Actress Emma Mackey stands out, not only with her talent, but especially with her beauty, which shines in every scene. Hot Milk is based on the 2016 novel of the same title by Deborah Levy. Filmed in Greece (and made to look like Spain), its premiere was February 2025 at the Berlinale Film Festival. (Becky T.)