“We hope to see more films from Vacková in the future as we were very impressed…”

A coming-of-age short surrealist drama about a girl stuck between order and passion. In a pure, ideal world full of rules, one schoolgirl is tempted to get a forbidden kiss and then faces the consequences of her behaviour.

From the opening shot, we could tell this film from director Charlotte Vacková has character. With a stunning backdrop, great cinematography and a talented cast, Forbidden is a film that you’ll enjoy. We’re also delighted to see more from writer Enni Red whom we had the pleasure of nominating and reviewing Transgressing for, that she also wrote. It’s a distinct departure from her previous work but carries a lot of the same meaning and subtleties.

What’s unique about this film is how it starts off almost as a silent film, relying on clever editing and a whimsical score to tell the story. Our lead actress Zuzana Valešová couldn’t have been more perfect for the role. Not only due to her trademark long hair (which we wonder if it was added into the story after being cast), but also because she’s able to tell the story with her actions alone. With only subtle actions, she’s able to create a total sense of joy mixed with melancholy. Playing opposite her is Tadeáš Moravec who also stands out with his naturalism and believability. We would have loved to see them get more time together onscreen.

Cary Hubbs takes on the cinematography and has pulled off a great result with the team. As the film didn’t require much dialogue, the framing and shot sequences needed to help tell the story and emotion was paramount. The team succeeded in creating a unique style to the film that captures the great performances and messages you need to pay close attention to.

Vacková has a clear vision for the film and lets the audience sink into the story by only showing us fragments of what’s real and what isn’t. The pace of the film has many ups and downs, keeping us curious throughout and wondering what might happen to the hero girl. The setting of the film was well chosen and certainly fits with the sense of ‘order’ being pushed on to her. The meticulous and perfect room she spends her time in is both tragic and sad, making for her rebellious moments all the more poignant.

The film was set in Czech Republic and couldn’t be more perfect. Similar to the setting, this stunning landscape adds a sense of isolation and tradition that cages our hero. Considering the time involved in making this film, it was well worth the wait!

We feel this is a film that will do exceptionally well on the festival circuit, as it explores a captivating story that’s told in a unique way with great visuals and performances. We hope to see more films from Vacková in the future as we were very impressed…

— APEX Film Awards