Hide Your Smiling Faces

In a rural landscape where the innocence of childhood clashes with the grim realities of adulthood, two young brothers navigate the complexities of life and death. Following the sudden death of a local boy, the older brother, Eric, grapples with his burgeoning understanding of mortality and his protective instincts towards his younger sibling, Ian. The film explores their transition into adolescence against a backdrop of the natural world, focusing on their emotional journey and the unspoken bonds of family.

Hide Your Smiling Faces received generally positive reviews from critics, who praised its atmospheric storytelling, authentic portrayal of childhood, and strong performances, particularly from its young lead actors. The film was noted for its subtle, introspective approach to themes of grief and growing up, though some found its pacing deliberately slow.

• Praised for its authentic depiction of adolescent emotions and the loss of innocence.

• Celebrated for its evocative cinematography and atmospheric setting.

• Noted for strong, naturalistic performances from the young cast.

Google audience: Audiences generally appreciated the film's thoughtful exploration of childhood grief and its beautiful, naturalistic setting. Many felt the movie captured the quiet anxieties and discoveries of growing up with a genuine emotional resonance.

Nominated for the Grand Jury Prize at the Sundance Film Festival (2014).

Director Daniel Patrick Carbone drew inspiration for the film from his own childhood experiences and the rural landscape where he grew up.