A butterfly, a creature symbolising rebirth and a new beginning, epitomises Romina’s and Germán’s world, a world that consists of two parallel realities. In one of them they grow up as siblings who desire each other and try to give shape to their love without sexual fulfilment; in the other they are a young man and woman who form an awkward friendship instead of succumbing to their feelings for each other. Germán finds himself in a discordant relationship with Mariela. Mariela’s brother is interested in Bruno. Bruno is with Romina, but wants to be with Germán. Playfully alternating between these two realities, the lovers find themselves drawn into ever new couplings in order to explore their intuitive feelings – cautiously, but at the same time prepared to lose everything.
"Butterfly Girl" opts for a celebration of life over a fear of death to ultimately devastating effect.
– Geoff Berkshire,
Variety,
16 Apr 2015
fresh:
Despite the obvious sadness at its heart, the doc benefits from an unforced optimism.
– John DeFore,
Hollywood Reporter,
16 Apr 2015
fresh:
Abbie Evans is a dynamo.
– Meave Gallagher,
Village Voice,
25 Aug 2015
fresh:
Bell's film captures the spectrum of emotions here: Abbie's desire for more as well as her fear, her parents' need to protect her as well as their wish to set her free.