Is Family Indifference Worse Than Isolation? Discover the Truth in ‘Reeling’!
Titled “Reeling“, this movie had its debut at the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival and is overseen by legendary director Werner Herzog. Set on the beautiful island of Oahu, Hawaii, it unfolds within a single day. Yana Alliata’s film focuses on Ryan, a man who has both physical and emotional scars, as he reconnects with family and friends at his sister’s birthday celebration, which is also a luau. After a prolonged recovery from an accident that affected his memory and motor skills, leaving him somewhat unstable, Ryan feels ready to re-enter the world, move out of his mother’s house, find employment, and take on responsibilities. In essence, the luau serves as his first major challenge. The scenes are difficult to witness, not only due to the emotional turmoil but also because of the deliberate, repeated cinematography.