Magma

Overwhelmed by her father’s sudden disability, Esra becomes entangled in a web of lies. Only once the emotions smouldering inside the nine-year-old finally rush to the surface, can she begin coming to terms with her new reality.

I suppose that when many of us arrive at a new school, we want to fit in as quickly as possible. Nine year old "Esra" (Leah Fischer) is one such girl who is initially quite quiet and reserved until she finds herself chatting with a couple of girls and consequently embellishing, indeed lying about, what brought her here. Initially that works in her favour, but as the truth gradually emerges what reaction might she expect from her new peers? Though Fischer delivers quite thoughtfully, I struggled to come to terms with the purpose of this short feature. We see a little of her family's actual predicament, but learn nothing of what happend nor what necessitated their relocation, and in the end were left with a rather unpleasant reminder that kids aren't always the nicest of people - especially when lied to. Is the title supposed to be symbolic of something scalding that is constantly bubbling under? You tell me.