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Two young Uyghur women are entirely different in character, and yet equally fixated on uncovering the meaning behind this elusive sentiment called “love”. One of them is romantic, often lost in the world of melodramas, yearning to experience love as it is depicted on-screen, while her friend pursues it in the real world, navigating dating apps and messy encounters.

Their journey takes a surreal turn with the sudden appearance of an angel figure, echoing the surreal tone of a “bad trip”. This ethereal visitor adds an otherworldly layer to their search, almost as if challenging them to find deep emotions beyond fantasy and reality. This is a casting scene for a documentary about love. The aspiring actor offers his raw, unscripted views on the significance of love. His perspective lingers, leaving the girls questioning their own beliefs.

Through this mix of fantasy and authenticity, the film explores themes of escapism, self-image and the contrasting allure and disillusionment of love. The girls frequently resorts to various devicews – alcohol, photography, etc – in order to craft idealised images of themselves. A vibrant colour palette of pinks and reds reflects their obsession with love, contrasting sharply with the realistic and, ultimately, bittersweet ending.

The final denouement offers both comfort and tears, a testament to love’s duality. This journey, as much about friendship as it is about romance, suggests that while love can be disorienting and imperfect, the search makes it worthwhile. Ada captures both the innocence and complexity of discovering true affection, leaving viewers to ponder its true nature.

Ada shows in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 10th, 2024.

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Anastasia Senina is a content creator and editor with a passion for cinema. She was born in Russia, and is based in Estonia. She studied journalism and literature at university. and has work experience working with print and online media alike. She created a film blog after attending Three Days in Cannes, a special programme for cinephiles.