THE STORY – Set against the stunning Greek isles, Satisfaction is a nuanced psychological drama that unravels the fragile bond between British composers Lola and Philip. Their relationship lingers in silence as Lola struggles to reclaim her voice. Weaving between their present-day trip to a remote Greek island and the start of their romance at a London music school, the film slowly reveals an unspoken rift. When Lola meets the magnetic Elena on a nudist beach and invites her into their world, tensions escalate, forcing Lola to confront the darkest part of her past.
THE CAST – Emma Laird, Fionn Whitehead, Zar Amir, Adwoa Aboah
THE TEAM – Alex Burunova (Director/Writer)
THE RUNNING TIME – 96 Minutes
With “Satisfaction,” first-time narrative feature filmmaker Alex Burunova delivers a debut like a more subdued version of Chloe Domont’s 2023 film, “Fair Play.” It’s the kind of psychological drama that slowly cuts deep into the cracks of a relationship. While not reaching the same volcanic heat as the cutthroat office politics in the latter Netflix film, “Satisfaction” is fittingly more of a slow boil than a sear.
“Satisfaction “explores the unspoken fractures between two people, something born out of one traumatizing betrayal. The film charts the unraveling of the relationship between Lola (Emma Laird) and Philip (Fionn Whitehead), two British composers who once shared a passionate love for each other, life, and music. Shifting between their present-day life on an isolated Greek island and the early days of their romance in London, Burunova’s screenplay reveals the slow erosion of their connection, driven by the suppressed emotions and lingering pain that Lola carries, and how what’s been left unsaid leads to almost irreparable damage.
The film opens with waves dancing. There’s a sense of freedom in the ocean’s movements, which suddenly turns into one of entrapment as the camera captures the image of a cage submerged underwater. This imagery sets the tone, hinting at a story about a person longing for liberation yet who is trapped in their own cage. Soon after, we are thrust into the glaring white architecture of Greece, a picturesque setting that, far from feeling like paradise, is a cold and stark backdrop for Lola and Philip’s relationship.
Once vibrant and full of promise, their connection is now a quiet shell of what it used to be. Lola and Philip share breakfast in bed, exchanging affectionate glances, yet there’s a palpable distance between them. Lola’s melancholic demeanor suggests she is mentally elsewhere, carrying an emotional weight she can’t quite articulate. The film juxtaposes the stunning Greek surroundings with the rawness of their emotional landscape – an eerie beauty in how the search for satisfaction plays out, not just in their relationship but also in their lives. The color-rich cinematography of their earlier days in London contrasts sharply with the muted coldness of their present in Greece. What was once warm and golden now feels faded and distant.
The film’s non-linear structure weaves between past and present, edited in a way that doesn’t affect narrative flow, gradually revealing the depth of their love story. In the past, Lola and Philip’s bond was built on shared musical dreams. They first met at a party where Lola entertained on the piano, and their connection was an instant spark between two creative souls. But as time progresses, their relationship sours. Philip’s musical passion remains, but Lola’s is gone. She will be asked why she no longer composes, and the answer is, “I don’t know.” But Lola does know; she just doesn’t want to say it.
As tensions mount, Lola meets Elena (Zahra Amir Ebrahimi) on a nudist beach, and the dynamic between the couple shifts once again. Elena’s presence brings Lola a sense of life and passion that had long been absent, and their connection blossoms into something more than a fleeting attraction. As Lola finds herself caught between Philip and Elena, the film explores the complexities of love and finding satisfaction in all things, offering a nuanced take on modern relationships and how passion and fulfillment ignite one’s soul.
Elena’s impact on Lola is profound – she reignites a zest for life lost over time. Their relationship is more than just a ménage a trois; it’s a catalyst for Lola to confront the hidden parts of herself, the parts that have been buried beneath years of quiet suffering. Through Elena, Lola begins to reclaim who she once was, confronting the darkness that has lingered between her and Philip for far too long. There is a raw power in the film’s exploration of trauma and emotional collapse. A pivotal, quick moment sees Lola scream into the vast ocean, her voice swallowed by the booming waves. This serves as a metaphor for the years of pent-up frustration, grief, and pain with which she has lived. The visual shift from vibrant warmth to a drained, muted palette mirrors Lola’s internal state as she becomes a hollow shell of her former self.
The narrative delves into a complicated theme, one that requires a trigger warning to be placed in its introduction. A heartbreaking violation of trust turns “Satisfaction” into a modern Medusa story. The film slowly reveals the betrayal Lola has suffered but doesn’t sensationalize the trauma. Instead, it allows the impact of the event to unfold gradually, showing how it shapes Lola’s world and her relationship with Philip. It’s a deeply emotional portrayal, forcing the audience to sit with the weight of Lola’s experience. “Satisfaction” offers a complex portrait of love, the layers of emotions accompanying it, and the painful process of re-discovery. It challenges the audience to engage with complex themes while witnessing the quiet erosion of a relationship. Lola’s journey is both painful and redemptive, and Laird delivers a mesmerizing performance, capturing the suffocating emotional landscape of her character with haunting precision.
The film’s strength lies in its subtlety, allowing space for the audience to reflect on the “why’s” and “I don’t knows” that define the central relationship. In the end, as Lola finds herself again – her fingers moving to the rhythm of the ocean waves – there is a sense of catharsis. The final act, marked by Lola’s attempt to rise and find light once more, is poignant; it’s a symbolic reclaiming of herself and her art. The colors that drained from the film’s palette return, bringing with them a sense of renewal. “Satisfaction” is a powerful debut and a dark examination of a relationship in crisis. It’s not an easy watch but an engrossing one – an intimate, complex portrayal of love, pain, and the journey toward self-liberation. It’s a film that’s often difficult to wrap your head around as it engages in deep, complicated conversations. But where it is challenging, it’s also deeply satisfying, both narratively and emotionally.
