Screenplay writer and director Shirley Barrett has already proved her masterful ability in depicting her characters with her debut feature: Vicky-Ann, egocentric and spoilt, yet somehow loveable; the quiet, rather insecure Dimiti, from whom truths and deeds gush abruptly, so that the audience has to catch its breath once more; and shabby lady-killer Ken, who never loses his dignity as a character despite the way he treats women.

When melancholy and black humour are paired up, and the camera conjures up remarkable colours and contrasts from unusual perspectives, the audience feels in good hands with Barry White love songs. The stylishly injected, magical realism adds extra spice: Ken is somewhat "different", which does not mean "homosexual", as Vicky-Ann immediately supposes, but that the man from the city reveals an especially good way with fish. Anyone who has seen the classic horror film House will know to pay particular attention on spotting the swordfish on the wall...

• A film festival winner (in this case, best debut film 1996 at Cannes) does not automatically do well at the box office. However, audience reactions at Sundance and Rotterdam allow us to make a confident forecast.