Blue Bag Life - Review (London Film Festival 2022)

The Word I Never Called Anyone. 2.5 / 5

Directed by Lisa Selby, Rebecca Hirsch Lloyd-Evans, Alex Fry.

A daughter is searching to understand her mother’s absence: were they ‘estranged’ because of heroin, or did their separation run deeper than addiction?

A documentary that explores a relationship strained by addiction is told through haunting real video diary footage and first-hand accounts in the deeply personal Blue Bag Life.

Lisa Selby tells the story of her mother's addiction and how that led to their estranged relationship over the years and the impact that had on her growing up. This troubling look at love and what it means to be loved is both a harrowing yet surprisingly fulfilling watch as it focuses on finding the light deep in the darkness regardless of how bleak the circumstances are.

What I really respect about Blue Bag Life is that it holds nothing back - the good, the bad, and the ugly. Selby mentions that some of the footage she captured was just for her, not for anyone else to see. And that's just what the film feels like: A private and intimate look into someone's life, not meant for the public eye. But sharing it, not only reveals vulnerabilities but is a brave and powerful statement to proudly show what we've been through and how that has shaped us regardless of the journey.

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Written by Jack Aling ​Read his latest reviews at: letterboxd.com/TheJackAling