Lullaby

Tender-hearted and acutely observed, Alauda Ruiz de Azúa’s debut Lullaby is an absorbing if flawed mother-daughter drama. Lullaby is about a woman who, after having a child of her own, reaches a new affinity with her mother: hardly a new theme, but it is handled by Ruiz de Azúa with sure-handedness, grace and wit. The writer-director smartly sidesteps cliches as she trains her lens on emotional truths.

Thirty-somethings Amaia (Laia Costa) and Javi (Mikel Bustamante) are struggling with the emotional fallout of having a baby. They are assisted and irritated in this by Amaia’s parents — the authoritative, pragmatic Begoña, who constantly reminds the couple of their failings (Susi Sanchez) and the pleasant but useless Koldo (veteran Ramon Barea).

Jonathan Holland, Screen Daily

Thursday 1.9. Kino Tapiola's screening is an afternoon coffee screening, the ticket price includes a cup of coffee or tea.