Kindling

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Kindling

2023

1h 43m

Drama

Romance

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3 Reviews

82%

Popcornmeter

Fewer than 50 Ratings

Kindling follows a group of young men who return to their hometown to turn their friend Sid’s final summer into a celebration of life, love and friendship. Facing mortality, Sid (George Somner, Sex Education) wants to create a legacy and be remembered forever. With his obsession for astronomy and the atmosphere, he comes up with a plan to bring everyone together and make this summer unforgettable. He gives each boy a category -- love, home, friends, family and location -- and asks them to find an item that connects them all with the word they’ve been given.

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Cath Clarke

Guardian

By not trying too hard to be heartstring-pulling it’s a film that leaves a lump in the throat.

Rated: 3/5

Apr 18, 2023

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

The movie's subject is heavy, but the result is never dragged down, given lightness by O'Hara's gentle hand and honest, natural performances from a strong young cast.

Rated: 4/5

Oct 11, 2023

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Edward Porter

Sunday Times (UK)

Connor O’Hara’s film is likeable in its simple poignancy and its feel for the mood of rural English summers.

Rated: 3/5

May 1, 2023

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Deborah M

Sensitive, touching and realistic depiction of a young man dealing with terminal cancer. The director kept the gentle story moving along with good cinematography and music tracks.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

09/18/24

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Grant F

Very touching film with some fantastic performances by such a young cast! The filmmakers did a great job of handling such complex subject matter without it feeling heavy-handed. I hope more people see this film!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/13/23

Full Review

Victoria C

"Kindling" profoundly moved me as a person who has experienced the loss of a mother to cancer. The young boy's journey in the film deeply resonated with me, serving as a reminder of the resilience of the human spirit and the power of love and friendships. Furthermore, the story inspires to live in the present, cherish each fleeting moment, and treasure the precious experiences that life offers us.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/08/23

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Mike K

It was distracting that the top half of faces were left off of so many scenes. Sloppiness pretending to be artistic.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

10/25/23

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S W

This is a return to form for independent filmmaking. It's beautifully crafted and imbued with heart and hope, which is not an easy feat for a film that deals with grief. The performances are nuanced and the direction is not heavy-handed. This is a superb debut film from the writer/director. The themes are universal and, much like the classic STAND BY ME, the filmmaker creates a world of reverence for enduring childhood friendships.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

10/12/23

Full Review

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Connor O'Hara

Director

George Somner

Sid

Conrad Khan

Dribble

Wilson Mbomio

Diggs

Mia McKenna-Bruce

Lily

Rory J. Saper

Plod

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Synopsis

Kindling follows a group of young men who return to their hometown to turn their friend Sid’s final summer into a celebration of life, love and friendship. Facing mortality, Sid (George Somner, Sex Education) wants to create a legacy and be remembered forever. With his obsession for astronomy and the atmosphere, he comes up with a plan to bring everyone together and make this summer unforgettable. He gives each boy a category -- love, home, friends, family and location -- and asks them to find an item that connects them all with the word they’ve been given.

Director: Connor O'Hara
Producer: Mark Foligno, Jamie Gamache
Screenwriter: Connor O'Hara
Production Co: Roundtable Entertainment Holdings, Hyprr Films, Lowkey Films, limelight CTL, Haymarket Films , Lipsync Productions
Genre: Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Runtime: 1h 43m

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