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The Killing of Two Lovers

Robert Machoian, USA 2020, 85’
The Glorias The World to Come

The American director Robert Machoian deals with the breakdown of a long-term marriage that is shown almost entirely from the inside of a beat-up van. Behind the wheel is David (Clayne Crawford), who is trying to come to terms with the fact that his wife is seeing another man; he sees his children only at the appointed time, and he is once again living with his father, who still demands sweets from him. Though his children expect, above all else, to hear new jokes from him, David is finding it increasingly difficult to convince them, and the rest of their little world, that he is not upset by the situation. Without a hint of sentimentality, which probably wouldn’t have even been possible in Utah in winter anyway, Machoian shows us how difficult it is sometimes to admit you are suffering. Surprising from the very first scenes, he looks at an ordinary man forced to wait—including for the person who is most important to him to love him again. A man trying to avoid, at all costs, an explosion with catastrophic results.

Marta Bałaga

Robert Machoian

Born in King City, California, in 1977, Robert Machoian is an American director, screenwriter, and photographer. Going all the way back to his student days, he has worked with Rodrigo Ojeda-Beck on many occasions, including on the films When She Runs and God Bless the Child, which was an award winner at CPH:DOX and was nominated for an Independent Spirit Award. His latest drama, The Killing of Two Lovers, which he made on his own, was shown at Sundance, where he has also presented short films, such as Minors, which won a special jury award.

Selected filmography

2008 Ella and the Astronaut (short)

2013 Forty Years from Yesterday

2015 God Bless the Child

2018 When She Runs

2020 Zabójstwo dwojga kochanków / The Killing of Two Lovers

Cast & Crew

director Robert Machoian
screenplay Robert Machoian
cinematography Oscar Ignacio Jiménez
editing Robert Machoian
cast Clayne Crawford, Sepideh Moafi, Chris Coy, Avery Pizzuto, Arri Graham, Ezra Graham
producer Melia Leidenthal
production Back40 Pictures, Odd Man Out Cinema
sales Neon
language English
coloration colour
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