HEAVEN KNOWS WHAT American Independents

The third narrative feature from brothers Josh and Benny Safdie explores a love story of heroin junkies living on the streets of New York City. Harley is in mad love with Ilya, so much so that she slits her wrists to capture his attention. But when her attention-grabbing stunt doesn’t get Ilya to reciprocate her love, she seeks support from Mike, a heroin dealer, who mistakes her interest in him as something more. Based on a memoir by Arielle Holmes, who here stars as Harley, the film occupies a space between narrative and documentary. Further blurring that line is cinematographer Sean Price Williams’ use of 16mm, which offers us close-ups of these characters’ desperation, while also quietly observing their monotonous daily routine amid the commotion of city life.