Butterfly Jam: A Review of Kantemir Balagov's New Jersey Circassian Drama
Kantemir Balagov's latest film, Butterfly Jam, is a testosterone-driven drama set in a small swathe of New Jersey with a close-knit Circassian community. The film follows Azik, a chef who runs a failing diner with his sister Zalya and son Temir. The story explores the collision of masculinity and vulnerability, with a focus on the relationship between Azik and Temir.
One of the film's strengths is its talented cast, including Barry Keoghan, Riley Keough, and Tahla Akdogan. Keough's performance as Zalya is particularly notable, as she brings a weary and impatient quality to the role, reflecting her early assumption of big-sister responsibilities. Keoghan's portrayal of Azik is also engaging, as he navigates the complexities of his relationship with Temir and his own insecurities.
However, the film struggles to find its focus, with a lack of broader community context and interactions with Americans outside the family's immediate circle. The screenplay, co-written by Balagov and Marina Stepnova, fails to give satisfying development to the various strands of the story, and the film's most interesting character, Zalya, is underutilized.
Despite these shortcomings, Butterfly Jam is a visually stunning film, thanks to the gifted cinematography of Jomo Fray. The film's score, composed by Evgueni and Sacha Galperine, also adds to the overall atmosphere and tone. Overall, Butterfly Jam is an absorbing but meandering drama that explores the complexities of masculinity and family relationships, but it ultimately falls short of Balagov's previous works, such as Closeness and Beanpole.
In my opinion, Butterfly Jam is a fascinating exploration of the intersection of masculinity and vulnerability, but it is let down by its lack of focus and underdeveloped characters. The film's visual style and score, however, are a highlight, and the talented cast brings a sense of vitality and intimacy to the story. Overall, it is a thought-provoking film that raises questions about the nature of masculinity and the complexities of family relationships.
