Pearl’s ex-husband and son have come to see Pearl while she is in the midst of gearing up for a bodybuilding contest under the strict supervision and patronage of Al. She is putting everything on the line to win. Her ex-husband, Ben, asks her to briefly take care of their son, Joseph. The constant extreme close-ups escalate tension as it reveals the psychological pressure Pearl feels from the inability to escape the situations surrounding her. The camera consistently glides through the contestants’ bodies, which recall the athlete in Greek mythology. The slow-moving images and provocative music create a grotesque mood, which draws the audience into the film. When Pearl faces Joseph outside the contest hall, alone, she finally steps out of the small microcosm she had been part of and makes a choice of her own will. Filmmaker Elsa Amiel introduces this debut feature of powerful colors and spectacular images. (Erica Nam)