Coming Soon: Honeyjoon (2025) by Lilian T. Mehrel: A Mother-Daughter Journey Through Grief and Pleasure

Core Summary: Healing and Rediscovery in the Azores Honeyjoon (2025), Lilian T. Mehrel's debut feature, is a vibrant and emotionally layered dramedy that explores the complex relationship between a mother, Lela (Amira Casar), and her daughter, June (Ayden Mayeri), as they grapple with grief after the death of the family patriarch. They travel to the picturesque Azores in Portugal, hoping to find solace. Surrounded by honeymooners and dealing with their own contrasting ideas about grieving, living, and pleasure, they slowly begin to rediscover themselves and their connection, aided by a charming philosophical tour guide. The film interweaves personal grief with broader themes of freedom and female reclamation.

Summary Short: Mother-Daughter Dramedy Explores Grief and Joy on Azorean Island A grieving mother and daughter with opposing views on coping with loss travel to the Azores, where they confront their emotions, explore their desires, and slowly find their way back to life amidst a blend of humor and poignant self-discovery.

Link IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt32648803/

Link Review: https://cineuropa.org/en/newsdetail/480370/

About movie: https://www.wondermaria.com/pt/portfolio-item/honeyjoon/

Detailed Summary: A Trip to Paradise Amidst Personal Turmoil Honeyjoon (2025) is a comedy-drama film written, directed, and produced by Lilian T. Mehrel, marking her directorial debut. The film is a US-Portuguese co-production.

• The Premise of Grief: The story centers on Lela (Amira Casar), a Persian-Kurdish therapist, and her American daughter, June (Ayden Mayeri). One year after the death of their beloved husband/father, they embark on a trip to the romantic Azores, a place dear to the deceased, hoping it will help them "come back to life."

• Contrasting Coping Mechanisms: June is eager to escape the grief and seeks pleasure, often through flirting and a desire for privacy, despite being surrounded by honeymooners. Lela, however, sinks deeper into her sadness, preoccupied with real-world news from Iran concerning the "Woman Life Freedom" movement, and often tries to cover up June's "tiny bikini."

• An Unlikely Guide: Their philosophical surfer tour guide, João (José Condessa), becomes drawn to Lela's deeper conversations rather than June's overt flirting. His presence subtly helps Lela begin to find herself coming back to life.

• Unveiling Secrets and Emotions: The film delves into the characters' inner lives and secrets. June discovers Lela's secret use of antidepressants, which turns out to have been her father's. This prompts a realization about inherited pain and a father-daughter dynamic where pain was often unspoken.

• Climax of Emotion and Reclamation: On the anniversary of the death, a pivotal moment occurs when Lela swims in her underwear, symbolizing a step towards reclaiming her body and pleasure, though she still tries to control June's expressiveness. This leads to an eruption from June, and a temporary separation.

• Finding Joy in All of It: While June seeks a "sexy escape" with João but ultimately breaks down in tears, Lela rediscovers her own pleasure at the hotel. The film's core message emerges: feeling alive means feeling "all of it"—joy, grief, desire, and pain. Reunited, they dance, symbolizing freedom for themselves and for women who cannot.

• Artistic Approach: Mehrel employs sensual visuals juxtaposed with raw reality, creating contrast, humor, and meaning. Diary-like filmic sequences and poignant long takes enhance the storybook quality and highlight the characters' emotional disconnect and eventual reconnection.

Plot summary

• A Year of Loss, a Trip to Azores: One year after the death of the family patriarch, his widow Lela and daughter June travel to the Azores, a place he loved, hoping for healing and a return to vitality.

• Clash of Grieving Styles: June, the daughter, is eager to move past the grief and embraces the island's romantic setting by seeking pleasure and flirting with their tour guide, João. Lela, the mother, remains steeped in her sorrow, often distracted by news about the "Woman Life Freedom" movement in Iran, and is uncomfortable with June's overt sensuality.

• The Philosophical Tour Guide: João, their handsome tour guide, is drawn more to Lela's deep, philosophical conversations than June's attempts to flirt. His presence begins to subtly draw Lela out of her depression.

• Uncovering Shared Pain: June discovers Lela is taking antidepressants, which were actually her late father's, revealing a hidden shared history of unspoken pain and a generational pattern of avoiding emotional discomfort.

• Emotional Climax and Separation: On the anniversary of the father's death, a moment of vulnerability and rebellion occurs when Lela swims in her underwear, seemingly reclaiming her pleasure. However, her continued efforts to control June's freedom lead to a heated argument and a temporary separation between mother and daughter.

• Individual Paths to Pleasure and Acceptance: During their separation, June experiences an emotional release of tears instead of the sexual release she sought, realizing that feeling alive encompasses all emotions. Concurrently, Lela finds her own form of pleasure and renewed vitality.

• Reunion and Celebration of Life: The film culminates in their reunion, where they dance together, a powerful act symbolizing their collective healing, their bond, and a broader celebration of women's freedom, acknowledging the light and shadow in life.

Director's Vision Lilian T. Mehrel, in her debut feature Honeyjoon, demonstrates a clear artistic vision focused on blending humor and emotion to explore universal human experiences through a unique cultural lens.

• "Funny, Moving Swirl of Cinematic Stories": Mehrel aims to take audiences on a "joyride" with a narrative that is both funny and moving, creating space for contrast, humor, and meaning through juxtaposition.

• Celebrating Being Alive: Inspired by the loss of her own father, Mehrel's core vision is to celebrate "being alive, filled with light and shadow and all the little glimmers in between," emphasizing that feeling alive includes feeling "all of it" – joy, grief, desire, and pain.

• Sensual Visuals vs. Reality: She intentionally juxtaposes "sensual visuals" of the romantic Azores with the "reality" of the characters' internal struggles and the fact that it's "not some romantic summer trip." Cinematographer Inés Gowland contributes to this with "sensual visuals" and "diary-like filmic sequences."

• Cultural Specificity and Universality: Coming from an Iranian-German background, Mehrel expertly crafts the dynamic between the Persian-Kurdish mother and American daughter, making a story that is culturally specific but also "universal" in its themes of grief, pleasure, and freedom.

• Independent Filmmaking Ethos: As an AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories grant winner (a $1 million award), Mehrel embodies the spirit of independent filmmaking, stating, "We can't do what studio films do but we can grab a camera, our friends, and just go because we love it."

• Expert Grasp of Comedic Timing: Despite the heavy themes, Mehrel has a "sharp grasp of comedic timing," using humor sparingly to enhance the narrative.

Themes

• Grief and Healing: The central theme revolves around how a mother and daughter navigate and process profound loss, and the non-linear journey towards healing and finding joy again.

• Mother-Daughter Relationship: The film deeply explores the complexities, misunderstandings, and enduring love within a mother-daughter bond, particularly during a period of shared vulnerability.

• Reclaiming Pleasure and Body Autonomy: Themes of female pleasure, sensuality, and being "free in your body" are prominent, especially for Lela as she rediscovers her own desires.

• Cultural Identity and Heritage: The film touches on the characters' Persian-Kurdish heritage and the "Woman Life Freedom" movement in Iran, connecting personal grief to broader socio-political struggles for freedom.

• Communication and Misunderstanding: The "underlying disconnect" and miscommunication between June and Lela, despite their mutual desire to understand each other, is a key thematic element.

• Life's Duality: The film highlights the coexistence of light and shadow, joy and sorrow, in the human experience, and the idea that true aliveness embraces all emotions.

• Found Family (Subtle): While not explicitly a major theme, the brief but impactful presence of João, the tour guide, and the women's eventual dance, subtly hint at connections that provide solace.

Key success factors

• Relatable Mother-Daughter Dynamic: The film's strength lies in its "relatable mother-daughter dramedy" which establishes a "compelling emotional baseline for all."

• Authentic Portrayal of Grief: Its ability to realistically depict the messy, often contradictory nature of grieving, blending sadness with moments of unexpected joy and humor.

• Strong Lead Performances: The performances of Ayden Mayeri (June) and Amira Casar (Lela) are crucial for conveying the complex emotional layers and their evolving relationship.

• Unique Blend of Genres: Successfully combining drama, comedy, and elements of romance makes it stand out.

• Director's Personal Connection & Vision: Lilian T. Mehrel's personal connection to the themes and her clear artistic vision, along with a significant grant from AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories, were instrumental in bringing the film to life.

• Beautiful Cinematography: The film's ability to capture the "sublime landscapes of the Atlantic archipelago" while juxtaposing them with the characters' internal struggles.

Summary Short: Acclaimed Debut with Tribeca Recognition Honeyjoon (2025) is an acclaimed debut feature from Lilian T. Mehrel, which premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2025. It is notably the winner of the prestigious AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories Award in 2024 (a $1 million prize), and was developed at the TorinoFilmLab and Cine Qua Non Lab, receiving a SFFILM Rainin Grant for post-production. While comprehensive critical reviews are still emerging, early reception is generally positive, praising its emotional depth and unique blend of humor and drama.

Awards and Nominations Honeyjoon has already garnered significant industry recognition and a major award prior to and at its premiere:

• AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories Award (2024): Winner of the $1 million prize, which financed its production, provided mentorship, and secured its acceptance into the 2025 Tribeca Festival. This is noted as "the biggest production award in the world."

• Tribeca Festival (2025): World Premiere on June 7, 2025 (in the non-competitive Viewpoints strand).

• TorinoFilmLab (2024): The screenplay was selected for development in the ComedyLab program.

• Cine Qua Non Lab (2024): The project was developed through their Storylines Lab.

• SFFILM Rainin Grant (2024): Received a grant for post-production.

• Warner Media TFI Co/Lab & Marcie Bloom Fellowship: Lilian T. Mehrel has also been selected for these prestigious programs.

Critics Reception As Honeyjoon (2025) premiered very recently (June 7, 2025, at Tribeca Festival), widespread critical reviews are just beginning to emerge.

• Early Positive Sentiment: Cineuropa's review describes it as a "confident debut" that is a "relatable mother-daughter dramedy set on the Azores" and "will make you want to call your mum."

• Mixed Reception (Shade Studios): One review from Shade Studios gave it a 4.3/10 rating, criticizing its "multiple identity crises" (between grief and Iranian women's rights), tonal inconsistencies, and perceived lack of comedic impact despite "smart lines of dialog." This review also found the daughter character "quite an obnoxious person."

• Praise for Efficiency: The Shade Studios review did commend an "efficient filmmaking" opening scene, but suggested that other scenes did not maintain this.

• Complexity and Ambition: The film is noted for its ambitious themes and "entangled themes that are left unparsed" at times.

• Visuals and Craft: Cinematography by Inés Gowland, capturing the "sublime landscapes" and creating "diary-like filmic sequences," is appreciated.

Overall Summary of Critics Reception: Early critical reception for Honeyjoon is a mix of positive and somewhat critical. While praised for its relatable mother-daughter dynamic, unique blend of genres, and Mehrel's confident debut, some critics found its thematic scope a bit unfocused and its comedic elements not always landing.

Reviews As Honeyjoon (2025) has just premiered, comprehensive audience and critic reviews are in the very early stages.

• "Relatable Dramedy": The film is being described as a "relatable mother-daughter dramedy," suggesting that its emotional core will resonate with many viewers who have experienced complex family dynamics.

• "Confident Debut": Lilian T. Mehrel's directorial debut is being recognized as confident, indicating a strong artistic vision even if some elements are still being refined.

• Emotional and Humorous Blend: The film aims for a blend of "grief, desire, miscommunication, independence, longing and joy," which is anticipated to create a rich emotional tapestry.

• Mixed on Comedy: While intended as a comedy-drama, some early feedback suggests the humor might be "surprisingly sparingly" used or not always land as intended.

Overall Summary of Reviews: Initial reviews highlight Honeyjoon's potential as an emotionally engaging and relatable story about family and grief, with praise for its unique tone and setting. The comedic aspects are an area where opinions may vary as more reviews emerge.

Box Office Honeyjoon (2025) premiered at the Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2025. As an independent film that secured its production funding through a grant (AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories Award), its primary distribution strategy is likely centered on film festivals, limited theatrical releases, and subsequent streaming. As such, traditional wide theatrical box office figures are unlikely to be substantial. There are no box office reports available for this film as of June 2025.

Production Summary Honeyjoon (2025) is an 80-minute comedy-drama film, a US-Portuguese co-production. It is written, directed, and produced by Lilian T. Mehrel. Other producers include Andreia Nunes (Wonder Maria Filmes), with Rostam Zafari, Sepanta Mohseni, and Azadeh Vatanpour as executive producers. The cinematography is by Inés Gowland, editing by Harry Cepka, and music by Retail Space. The main cast includes Ayden Mayeri (June), Amira Casar (Lela), and José Condessa (João). Principal photography began in October 2024 in the Azores, Portugal. The film was developed at TorinoFilmLab and Cine Qua Non Lab and received a SFFILM Rainin Grant. It also won the AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories Award, providing $1 million in funding.

Production companies

• Wonder Maria Filmes (Portugal)

• Bärli Films (United States)

Sales companies Information on specific sales companies is not widely available, but its premiere at Tribeca and development through various labs would indicate it's seeking distribution.

Distribution companies Information on specific distribution companies for a wider release beyond festivals is not yet available, though its win at Tribeca ensures acceptance into their festival.

Release date on streaming Information about a specific streaming release date for Honeyjoon (2025) is not yet available. It premiered theatrically at the Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2025. Streaming availability would typically follow after its festival run and potential limited theatrical release.

Theatrical Release Honeyjoon (2025) had its World Premiere at the Tribeca Festival on June 7, 2025 (US release). Further theatrical release dates are not yet widely announced, but its festival run often precedes a limited theatrical or digital release.

Why to recommend this movie

• Unique Mother-Daughter Story: It offers a fresh and nuanced exploration of the complex relationship between a grieving mother and daughter.

• Emotional Depth with Humor: The film balances heavy themes of grief and identity with moments of lightheartedness and humor.

• Beautiful Setting: The Azores provides a stunning backdrop that contrasts with the characters' internal struggles.

• Award-Winning Development: Its journey through prestigious labs and winning the AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories Award speaks to its quality and potential.

• New Filmmaking Voice: Lilian T. Mehrel's debut showcases a promising new voice in independent cinema.

Why to Watch Movie

• For Relatable Family Dynamics: If you appreciate films that delve into the intricacies of mother-daughter relationships, especially during challenging times.

• Interest in Grief and Healing: To witness a sensitive portrayal of how individuals process loss and find their way back to joy.

• Enjoy Dramedies: If you like films that blend drama and comedy, providing both emotional resonance and moments of levity.

• Explore International Cinema: To experience a US-Portuguese co-production set in a beautiful, exotic location.

• Support Independent Film: To champion a debut feature that has gained significant industry recognition and funding.

Movie Trend Honeyjoon (2025) aligns with the growing trend of "Character-Driven Dramedies" that explore complex family dynamics and emotional journeys, often incorporating elements of "found family" and "travel/self-discovery." It also fits within the broader movement of "Independent Cinema with Social Relevance," particularly films that explore diverse cultural backgrounds and contemporary global issues (like the "Woman Life Freedom" movement) through personal narratives. Its development through labs like TorinoFilmLab highlights a trend in "Incubator-Supported Filmmaking," where programs nurture emerging talent and unique stories.

Social Trend The film directly engages with the social trend of "Nuanced Portrayals of Grief and Mental Health," showcasing the diverse ways individuals cope with loss and the importance of open communication. It also touches on "Female Empowerment and Reclamation," particularly through Lela's journey of rediscovering her pleasure and agency, and June's journey of self-acceptance. The inclusion of the "Woman Life Freedom" movement connects it to the broader social trend of "Global Awareness and Activism for Human Rights," highlighting the intersection of personal struggles with wider socio-political contexts.

Final Verdict Honeyjoon (2025) is a confident and captivating debut from Lilian T. Mehrel, offering a raw yet tender exploration of grief, love, and self-discovery within a mother-daughter relationship. Its beautiful Azorean setting, coupled with a nuanced blend of drama and comedy, creates a unique cinematic experience. With its significant awards and development through prestigious programs, Honeyjoon is a promising independent film that provides both emotional depth and a refreshing perspective on navigating life's challenges.

Recommendations for film makers

• Embrace Personal Narratives: Lilian T. Mehrel's success with Honeyjoon demonstrates the power of drawing from personal experiences or observations to create authentic and emotionally resonant stories.

• Seek Out Incubator Programs: Actively pursue film labs and grants (like AT&T Tribeca Untold Stories, TorinoFilmLab) that offer not only funding but also mentorship and development opportunities, which can be crucial for debut features.

• Master Tone Blending: Learn to skillfully weave together dramatic and comedic elements without sacrificing the emotional core, allowing humor to emerge organically from real-life situations.

• Utilize Setting as Character: Allow your chosen location to influence and reflect the emotional journeys of your characters, as the Azores does in Honeyjoon.

• Prioritize Authentic Character Relationships: Invest in building believable and complex dynamics between your characters, as this will be the heart of any compelling drama.

Recommendations for Movie Industry

• Support Emerging Talent: Continue to provide platforms and funding for debut filmmakers with unique voices and compelling stories, especially those tackling culturally specific yet universally resonant themes.

• Invest in Dramedies: Recognize the growing audience appetite for films that blend humor with serious emotional topics, offering a more holistic view of the human experience.

• Champion Diverse Cultural Narratives: Actively seek out and promote films that explore a wide range of cultural backgrounds and global issues, enriching the cinematic landscape.

• Acknowledge Festival Success as a Gateway: Understand that strong performances at prestigious film festivals are often indicators of high-quality independent cinema worthy of broader distribution.

• Encourage International Co-productions: Support collaborations between countries that can bring diverse perspectives, production efficiencies, and wider audience reach.

Final Conclusions Honeyjoon (2025) stands as a testament to the power of independent filmmaking and a promising debut for Lilian T. Mehrel. It's a poignant and often humorous journey of a mother and daughter finding their way through grief and rediscovering pleasure, set against the stunning backdrop of the Azores. With its unique blend of emotional depth and cultural relevance, Honeyjoon is a film that offers a rich, relatable, and ultimately life-affirming experience.