Irene is about to finally receive her high school diploma. But she has too much on her plate to fully enjoy her accomplishment: raising four children, working on the streets for income, a husband with endless business ventures, a sister who needs help escaping from an abusive husband, a house in need of repairs. On top of it all, her oldest son leaves for Germany as a handball player, though she is not ready to accept his independence. Just like the old house with cracked walls, a leaky sink, and a broken front door, Irene is also about to blow up. Moments from her son’s younger days and the creaking sound effects are used to express the wide array of middle-aged Irene’s emotions — exhaustion, frustration, fear, expectation and joy. Co-writer Karine Teles also stars as this complex and dynamic woman, bringing this melodrama to life. Everything is on the verge of falling apart, but the film is never hysterical. Rather, it remains warm, perhaps because love and trust are still present despite moments of anger and disappointment. (Cho HyeYoung)