Straight out of jail, Sombra returns to his life as a drug dealer in the creole slum of Lisbon. In between the money he has lent and can't get back, the money he owes, a fanciful iguana, an invasive little girl and a ringleader who begins to mistrust him, he starts to think that he might have been better off in the clink...
Director Basil da Cunha’s debut is distinguished by its striking sense of place, use of non-professional actors and night shoots to uncover a forgotten corner of Europe. It’s a shame the accompanying story falls so flat.
Not without its moments, but there's little that keeps you invested in the drama.
There are some good moments, and Sombra's encounters with his exasperated auntie are very engaging. But After the Night is strangely inert.
While the story plays out in fairly formulaic fashion, it's the incidental detail that brings this world to life.
General release. Check local listings for show times.