Chatter Box Film

In Transit is a debut film – directed by Jaclyn Bethany, which had its World Premiere at EIFF 2025.

The film tells the story about the connection about two women – a struggling artist, Ilse (Jennifer Ehle) and her new life model, Lucy (Alex Sarrigeorgiou – who also wrote the script) – when their lives meld into each other.

Set in rural Maine, the film is pitched as a queer film between two very different women from different social/economic backgrounds with an twenty year age difference to boot.

The film attempts to find an answer to the question about what do people want when life throws you curve balls. Lucy is happy with a quiet life working shifts in a local bar living with her boyfriend, Tom, in the hope of starting a family. Ilse is adrift in her own life in terms of career and life. Their interaction together stirs something in them both. Lucy is about community and family, Ilse’s family life has fallen apart and she is seeking solace in something new.

Following on the theme of intimacy between women such as Portrait of a Lady on Fire or Blue is the Warmest Colour this also serves as a study on an artist and a muse; in this instance it is two females. But while it has a queer subtext this nevertheless it is about the way something new can be invigorating for both parties.

Ehle and Sarrigeorgiou hold our attention throughout in the many scenes together; Ehle’s experience over her established career gives credibility to the role of Ilse opposite the newcomer, not being overbearing or stealing scenes from her younger counterpart.

Director Jaclyn Bethany maintains control of the tone of film throughout, a lovely warm light enters the artist room combined with the more subdued darker tones of the home life when the women are apart.

Fittingly, for a film about a painter/artist Bethany captures some lovely moments of calm when Lucy goes for walk in nearby woods, featuring a jarring piano tinged soundtrack that reminds you are in a film and not intruding upon somebody’s quiet time.

This will do well when it garners a wider release, but will also be a festival darling in Edinburgh and beyond.