The sisters September (Pascale Kann) and July (Mia Tharia)make their entrance dressed in a way that evokes the iconic twins from Stanley Kubrick’s The Shining. Their mother Sheela (Rakhee Thakrar), a somewhat detached photographer, captures this scene, subtly introducing the complex family dynamics that director Ariane Labed delves into in her debut film, September Says. The sisters share a deep bond, yet embody contrasting personalities: September is protective and cautious, while July looks at the world with curiosity and openness. These contrasting personalities challenge their mother, who finds it difficult to navigate her daughters’ distinct temperaments. When September is suspended from school, July begins to assert her independence,creating tension between the sisters. The three women eventually retreat to an old holiday home in Ireland, where they encounter a series of surreal experiences. September Says unfolds through Labed's powerful visual language, playing with a psychologically rich atmosphere with a touch of dark humor. Themes such as female self-determination and the inheritance of family traits run through the plot, without a traditional liberation narrative. Ariane Labed, known as an actress from the Greek New Wave, demonstrates her filmmaking talent, capturing the grotesque and unusual in everyday life. September Says is a powerful exploration of the female world.It celebrated its world premiere in the Un Certain Regard section at Cannes.