«Survivor» by Luciana Teixeira Gomes

With Survivor, director Luciana Teixeira Gomes brings to life Dion Marcos’ sensitive and candid screenplay, tackling the issue of mental health in professional sports with remarkable subtlety. Set in Ireland, the film follows Mark (played by Marcos himself), an athlete confronting deeply buried emotions—anger, depression, and unresolved trauma.

At its core, Survivor is a film about dialogue: the transformative power of speaking, the radical act of opening up, and the courage it takes to express vulnerability in a world that often demands strength and stoicism. Through sessions with Dr. Rivers (James Payton, known as Frank Longbottom in Harry Potter), a compassionate and grounded therapist, Mark embarks on a genuine journey of healing and self-reflection.

Luciana Teixeira Gomes directs with clarity and empathy, crafting a subtle narrative built on pauses, silences, and glances. A Brazilian filmmaker working between Ireland and the UK, she draws on her academic research and artistic sensitivity to create a story that also serves as a social commentary. Survivor reflects the pressing need—especially among younger generations—to embrace vulnerability and rethink masculinity, still too often shaped by pressure and performance.

Never didactic or moralistic, Survivor is a film that deserves to be seen and discussed, particularly in spaces where cinema engages with social issues and becomes a tool for change.

At a time when mental health is finally stepping out of the shadows, Survivor offers something vital: a quiet yet powerful film that resonates deeply. It reminds us that openness is not weakness, but strength—and that change often begins with a simple, honest truth spoken aloud.

A film that belongs in festivals committed to cinema that questions, heals, and builds human connection.