PUFF 2017: Lauren Ashley Carter Stars in Natasha Kermani’s Contemplative Sci-Fi Film IMITATION GIRL
One thing that I love is seeing a new films from budding directors. The other thing I love is seeing that film being directed by a woman. This time, I tip my hat to Natasha Kermani.
Imitation Girl sucked me in and I couldn’t look away.
Starring Lauren Ashley Carter (Darling, The Woman, Jug Face), Imitation Girl follows the tale of an extraterrestrial black sludge that crashes down to earth and takes form of the first image it sees. Closest thing to the goo’s landing spot is a magazine with a scantily clad Julianna Fox (Carter) on the front. While the black sludge materializes and adapts to human life, the film jumps to Julianna trying to make it through hers.
Lauren Ashley Carter is clearly the shining star. Not only as lead actress, but as being the lead in two separate roles that are polar opposite of each other. The imitation Julianna is staying in a charming home and learning about life and being taught Farsi from Iranian siblings, while the real Julianna is a struggling pornstar trying to figure out what she wants to do in life and who she is. The duality of this performance is beyond impressive and quite possibly Carter’s best performance to date.
Imitation Girl is a slow but melodic meditation on female identity. It vaguely reminded me of Under the Skin but without the brutality. It’s stylistic, has a chilling score, and performances in it that will not disappoint you. Some areas in the film would’ve been nice to see stretched out more, and I was left pondering a few things towards the end, but I enjoyed this. With each passing moment, I keep thinking about it and how I like it more and more.
Writer and director, Natasha Kermani, has a very interesting eye and I cannot wait to see what she has going for the future. Her next film is entitled Shattered and to say that I am excited is an understatement.
Imitation Girl will continue making the festival run right now, but be sure to check it out as soon it is available!
