Overview
“Alice On & Off” is a raw, emotional documentary directed by Romanian filmmaker Isabela Tent, following Alice, a young woman who embarks on a turbulent journey from teenagehood to adulthood. The film spans ten years, capturing Alice’s transformation from a rebellious teenager to a mother and an artist, while grappling with personal struggles, addiction, and a complicated relationship with a much older man, Dorian.
This intimate documentary sheds light on themes of transgenerational trauma, self-discovery, artistic expression, and survival in the face of adversity.
Plot Synopsis
When she is merely 16 years old, Alice, the fragile and spirited girl, falls in love with Dorian, a man over 35 years older than her. The unconventional relationship raised eyebrows in the small Jewish community in Romania. After some time the couple got married and Alice became pregnant. As the couple moved in together the pair welcomed their son, calling him Aristo.
It does not come as a surprise that as years pass by such caring and loving relationship does take a downturn and runs into turbulence. After all, we as humans are wired to make life somewhat difficult for ourselves, And that is what happened with Alice. With a childhood that was full of extreme violence and abuse, children aren’t able to nurture themselves and instead internalize deep and painful emotions which then spills over into addiction and poverty. Alice isn’t any different.
The documentary astonishingly portrays Alice in her darkest of times- where she finds herself at the lowest of life, and her endless high when she dreams of one day making a name for herself as a professional artist. These dreams give her hope and strength while providing her with the motivation to rise above tough circumstances that she inevitably finds herself in.
Key Themes and Social Issues
“Alice On & Off” explores several culturally relevant themes, including:
- Age-gap relationships: The power dynamics and societal judgment that come with them.
- Young motherhood: The struggles of raising a child when one is still emotionally immature.
- Addiction and recovery: The film does not shy away from portraying Alice’s battle with substance abuse.
- Family trauma: The long-lasting effects of childhood neglect and the challenges of breaking cycles of dysfunction.
- Art as a means of self-expression: Despite her struggles, Alice finds solace in creative outlets, which become a key part of her healing journey.
Production Insight
Since around 2009, Director Isabela Tent has devoted quite a bit of time in chronicling Alice’s life This long-term approach results in an incredibly intimate portrait of a woman who is constantly evolving and facing new challenges. Undoubtedly, Isabela Tent’s strong sense of empathy and devotion to the authenticity of the film gives it human depth and makes it more than simply a documentary.
It is clear that Tent has grapples with the problem of how to portray Alice’s life without creating any ethical loopholes. The approach of the documentary never comes across as exploitative, rather it seems as though great care has been taken of the subject and that it is Alice herself determining how her story is told.
Reception and Impact
“On October 12, 2021, Alice On & Off, had its premiere at the Krakow Film Festival where it did win a fair amount of acclaim when it was screened during the Transilvania International Film Festival, that was its second screening. Critics have praised the film for its emotional depth, unflinching honesty, and sociopolitical relevance. Within September of the very same year, Films Covid had been shot and released along the borders of Western Ukraine.
The documentary is estamos luto – a Bulgarian filmmaker known for pushing boundaries – passionately remarks to the media that the entire film is a sociological PhD now, in time, all these emotions, pain and trauma will transform ‘Alice on and off ’ into a venture. An eagle eyes this perspective and forms a bold commentary over Eastern European society while highlighting the social evils of neglecting gender roles, poverty and mental health issues.
Holding a solid 8.5 out of 10 is the impressive rating of 8.5/10 in the films Wikia’s IMDb users are seen siding over the films honesty and emotion able to leave an imprint in ones mind..
Director’s Vision
In interviews, Isabela Tent has stated that the film was never meant to be a simple retelling of Alice’s life. Instead, it’s a collaborative project where Alice herself had input on how her story was portrayed.
Tent’s goal was to create a film that challenges societal norms, particularly around topics like female autonomy, addiction, and motherhood.
Cast and Crew
While the documentary primarily focuses on Alice, other key figures include:
- Dorian – Alice’s older partner, whose presence looms large throughout the film.
- Aristo – Alice’s son, who grows up in front of the camera and becomes a pivotal part of the story.
- Alice’s family – Her strained relationships with her family are explored in depth, highlighting the effects of intergenerational trauma.
Cultural and Social Significance
“The cinema illustrates the challenges faced by women in underprivileged communities and in larger context highlights the relationship issues experienced in marriages. The entire world will relate with the concepts of addiction, young parenthood and poverty that the film covers within the plot.
Her tale is that of Alice’s perseverance, she perseveres through the tough times, walks through the flames still hatching her wishes and goals to achieve a better life.
Isabela Tent’s Filmmaking Style
Tent has a tendency to take a more long-term and in-depth approach when it comes to crafting a compelling story of a highly personal nature. The likes of Richard Linklater of Boyhood fame – who shot such a film over a twelve year period, as well as Agnes Varda – who is known for constructing humanistic documentary features, come to mind by her very vision.
Her new film Alica On & Off is, in fact, the first time when Tent tries her hand at directing a feature-length work and, seemingly, the spirit of this work resonates with both critics and the public.
Where to Watch
As of now, “Alice On & Off” is primarily being showcased at film festivals. However, the film is expected to become available on specialized streaming platforms that focus on international documentaries, such as:
- Mubi
- DocAlliance
- Criterion Channel
- Netflix (Documentary Section)
Be sure to check local film festival lineups and online platforms for updates on wider distribution.
Why You Should Watch It
“Alice On & Off” is a documentary that is lumped in the category of raw, gripping human experiences. The story itself is heart-wrenching but at the same time exhibits generous dollops of hope, an overall exploration of the quest to find one’s position in the world amidst sheerocation.
The likes of For Sama, Honeyland and The Wolfpack are all character heavy and so is Alice On & Off, fans of such content would find this to be delightful.
