Monday Night Cinema

On Falling

Writer/director Laura Carreira immerses us in the life of Aurora (Joana Santos), a lonely Portuguese migrant working as a picker in a Scottish warehouse, in her empathetic debut feature, On Falling.

Constantly working against the clock, Aurora craves human connection. She seeks meaning but struggles to forge relationships in this immersive character study that shines a light on social isolation and modern employment.

This powerful meditation on contemporary loneliness is richly drawn through Laura Carreira’s assured direction and impeccable scripting. Reminiscent of the works of Ken Loach, On Falling is an empathetic social realist snapshot that offers a window into the financial precariousness of the gig economy, delivered with a lightness of touch that stresses the importance of everyday connection.