The Earth Belongs to No One (2015) User Reviews

exhilarating Kitchen sink

[touresworld · 9/10 · 18 August 2018]

The Earth Belongs is a compelling honest story of a fifteen year old girl growing up rough England projects. In full evidence is Ani Laurie's exhilarating drama and punch for pulling the plaster off. A coming-of-age story that allows us to get lost in the filmmakers trancelike exhilarating filmmaking. This film looks at present day Britain economic and social conditions for young abandoned teens - without preach or sanctimonious irony. The actress Jessica Barden plays a sassy, heart on her sleeve girl with mad attitude - she gives an outstanding dramatic performance. The youngest of the girls Alana Boden gives a rare striking performance as a teen with trauma. This is the only film I've ever seen which conveys a committed portrayal of truama, crime gun underworld culture.

Toure @touresworld

British short

[adamaisaoui · 8/10 · 9 September 2018]

Striking performances and the opening sequence is visceral and powerful. Great storytelling with the use of sparse dialogue. A lot of surprises in this film, breaking story structure in the second act adds to its strength. Really enjoyed it and highly recommend. Just want to know what happened next?????!!!!!

Atmospheric inner city

[adamfoster-21403 · 9/10 · 30 August 2018]

It's not a paint by numbers film and it's not a talky film, so if you are looking for escape to something (very) different with unexpected twists and turns told in quiet, measured pacing. This film is for you. Much of the films quiet stillness is reflected in the youngest of the girls who is mute/apraxia debilitated by the gang at school. The still life painted vision of the country is mercurial, dark and unsettling. The rumble of the danger runs from start to finish. Well crafted play on suspension, safely held on the stilts of strong performances from every character on screen.

Girls

[casarose-18444 · 10/10 · 12 September 2018]

A Thriller with a dark twist that keeps you guessing.

Keep your eye on Jessica Barden and Alana Biden

[ginaestrauss · 10/10 · 26 August 2018]

TEBTNO played at the Rooftop festival in U.S. it feels like a big story told in small realities. Following two girls who pick up a weapon to protect he selves. It portrays the struggles of loneliness and poverty, everyday survival fighting off attentions from nasty gangs. But with all that aside the film has a human and universal story, emancipation and overcoming hurt and trauma. It signals to Ghandi's 'An Eye for an Eye and the whole world goes blind.' The performances are powerful, but for a quiet short film it's soul is vibrational. Definitely worthy of screening again in U.S. If you are seeking at art house short with cinematic voice, you will find the filmmaker hasn't compromised on her vision. Also an indie, and the film would surpass a bechdel Test. Highly recommend!

Arresting

[willsteenlandan · 4 August 2018]

This is an extraordinarily bold film. It is the least student film experience you'll ever have. Bewitching, arresting, spellbinding. A lens into the world of poverty, isolation and girlhood. Jessica Barden, gives an exquisite authentic performance particularly. Alana Boden is noteworthy and spellbinding, whose character is a mute. The film is entirely dialogue free. At times I'm watching neorealism at its finest and at others I'm lost to the directors poetic storytelling. It is hard knocks kitchen sink told in hyperreal tones. By far one of the best narrative shorts to have come out of the British film school.

At London Film Festival, the writer/director, said that The Earth Belongs to No One was inspired by true events she had witnessed - the film is a landmark film by a new British voice destined to shake it up. One To Watch, Ani Laurie...

Jessy Barden *****

[parisleon-75653 · 10/10 · 9 December 2019]

I'm not big on social issues films as viewing resilience isn't my strong suit, but wanted to watch it for Jessica Barden as a short it feels like a feature and it doesn't disappoint. Jessica Barden's performance is turned down and massively vibrational, nothing like i've ever seen her before. Beuatiful film and the rest of the cast are also amazing.

CINEMA SISTERS

[nmekitari · 10/10 · 21 August 2018]

I watched this film in London Cinema Sisters cinema screening. Powerful film about culture and women. For me it a film which is very meditative also, powerful story about revenge. It has a very French style because it has not too much dialogue. The director is very cool filmmaker she makes stories about women and black culture. The director is from the national film school of U.K, she is mixed race and English. I recommend this short film to you.

Story & Performance

[sidibeomar · 9/10 · 18 October 2018]

This story is beautiful and haunting. Told exquisitely with measure, poetry, and hyper realism. The fantastic performances all round deliver the story authentically. I love the way the film comes in heavy and then gives you space to breathe, comes in again. The pacing is incredible.

Ani Laurie is one fine filmmaker you need to see the film to believe it!