Yana Alliata
Yana Alliata's feature debut, REELING, had it's World Premiere at South by Southwest 2025 in the Narrative Feature Competition.
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DEADLINE, March 7, 2025: “SXSW Preview + Hot List: Blake Lively, Jenna Ortega, Michelle Obama, Matthew McConaughey & More Coming To Austin” by Anthony D'Alessandro
https://deadline.com/2025/03/sxsw-2025-movies-blake-lively-jenna-ortega-ben-affleck-1236313183/
ELEMENTS OF MADNESS, March 2, 2025: “25 SXSW 2025 films that spark my curiosity.” By Douglas Davidson
https://elementsofmadness.com/2025/03/02/sxsw2025-recs/
FILMMAKER MAGAZINE, March 7, 2025: “19 Films We’re Anticipating at the 2025 SXSW Film and TV Festival” by Scott Macaulay
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LA TIMES, March 7, 2025: “SXSW 2025: Kevin Bacon, Kate Mara, Daveed Diggs and more in the L.A. Times studio” by Christina House
https://www.latimes.com/entertainment-arts/story/2025-03-08/sxsw-2025-photos-la-times-studio
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INDIEWIRE, Wilson Chapman (LINK)
““Reeling” and its stomach-churning birthday from hell make for an effective watch, and an experience that’s hard to forget.”
“Yana Alliata’s sharp feature finds a balance between both serenity and stress, effectively placing the audience in the mind of its confused audience surrogate.”
“The screenplay, from Alliata and Amy Miner, deftly conveys Ryan’s status as an outsider to this once-familiar world.”
“All three actors are strong and believable as siblings with a charred and difficult family past, finding natural notes of grace even when their actions verge on the loathsome. Wuestewald is particularly affecting as Ryan, ably portraying his confusion and almost foggy-brained viewpoint of the world.”
“Alliata is skilled at using her filmmaking to situate the audience within Ryan’s head, often using long tracking shots to build up stress while making heavy use of Michael MacAllister’s plodding, percussive score.”
““Reeling” succeeds in its goal of immersing the audience in Ryan’s viewpoint at all times.”
““Reeling” and its stomach-churning birthday from hell make for an effective watch, and an experience that’s hard to forget.”
THE AUSTIN CHRONICLE, Rod Machen (LINK)
“Reeling will make audiences feel the good vibes of a proper O‘ahu luau while also delivering the weight of life-changing actions that can’t be undone. Alliata conveys the almost bottomless pit of regret but also lots and lots of love. Sometimes, that’s family.”
“Alliata seamlessly blends her friends and her crew to make for one big celebration.”
“Viewers will be squirming in their seats.”
“..wonderfully constructed”
SUNSHINE STATE CINEPLEX, Josh Walbert (LINK)
“An Intense Emotional Portrayal of Grief and Memory Loss”
“The emotional weight of Reeling stems from the relatability of the film’s characters. Whether caring for a loved one or recognizing the hopelessness of the loss of one’s memory loss, the movie will likely strike a chord.”
“Beautifully shot and intimately told, the emotional Reeling brings forth the destructive hold mental illness has on familial relations.”
“Wuestewald does a fine job of portraying Ryan. Quiet and apologetic, Wuestewald conveys the effort it takes for Ryan to do even simple tasks. It’s an impressive performance from the newcomer. “
“the filmmakers’ background in narrative shorts shines through. Utilizing every bit of screen time to convey the story but allow audiences to connect takes a certain skill, and Alliata achieves this here.”
“It’s a poignant reminder about the necessity of community and the importance of acceptance.”
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SCREEN RANT, Graeme Guttmann (LINK)
“I enjoyed the film - Alliata is a great director, somehow making the homestead both beautiful and menacing. All the performances were so good, too. I did find myself wanting a little more - I became so invested in the main trio of Ryan, Meg, and John that I wanted to keep watching after the film ended. Really excited to see what Alliata does next!”
“the people both in front of and behind Reeling's camera are very talented. This is Alliata's first feature-length film, and it's an assured debut, using the stunning location to create a mood of anxiety even amid the beauty.”
“Wuestewald is wonderful in the role, his hesitancy to reach out apparent, his longing for connection crystal clear.”
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HYPER REAL FILM, Justin Harrison [LINK]
“Everyone in Reeling rings true, thanks to fine performances and Alliata’s careful control of tone.”
“Reeling is a well-made, well-performed film. It was one of the movies I was most curious about seeing at SXSW and it was a rewarding, thought-provoking watch.”
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MOVIE BEARS PODCAST, Jim Puliafico
“A smolderingly insightful character study of Ryan, struggling with his memory and cognitive loss from an almost forgotten trauma. Using mostly verite-style cinematography, the movie steadily builds tension between Ryan and his family during the course of a traditional celebratory gathering. Gripping performance by Ryan Wuesterweld.” [LETTERBOXD]
MOVIE BEARS PODCAST, William Lindus
“After a brutal accident leaves Ryan with memory loss and diminished motor functions, he tried to reacclimatize with his family in Hawaii during a birthday celebration. There’s an uncomfortable tension that is beautifully gripped by the score and by the unwavering long takes. I was moved, I was frustrated (in a good way), and I was left (wait for it) reeling.”
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SOUNDS OF FILM, Tom Needham
“Loved Reeling! One of my favorites of the year!”
Sounds of Film, Tom Needham; interview [LINK] [LINK]
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POPMATTERS, Paul Risker
“Thoroughly enjoyed REELING. In particular, the approach to the cinematography stood out — using as few edits as possible. From start to finish a well told story that brought you inside the world of its characters, and took a mature and sensitive approach to its themes.”
SUBSTREAM MAGAZINE, Murjani Rawls (LINK)
“The film is an effective, albeit scary, exercise in which those who love you the most treat you like an alien due to a situation beyond your control.”
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ALLIANCE OF WOMEN FILM JOURNALISTS, Valerie Kafrin [LINK]
“Reeling is at times painful to watch, thanks to Wuestewald’s poignant performance.”
“Cinematographer Rafael Leyva and Alliata stage the actors in such a way that heightens his isolation, whether he’s wading into the ocean or serving himself from the dinner table while the others talk around him.”​
FILMMAKER MAGAZINE, Scott Macauley interview with Yana Alliata [LINK]
“I Aimed to Capture the Subtle Cruelties of Social Isolation”: Yana Alliata On Her Herzog-EP’d SXSW Drama, Reeling
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NO FILM SCHOOL, Jason Hellerman Interview with Yana Alliata [https://nofilmschool.com/yana-alliata-interview]
How Director Yana Alliata Utilized Hawaii to Accentuate Her Poignant Thriller, 'Reeling'
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CBR, Grae Drake; Interview [LINK]
Reeling: Yana Alliata, Ryan Wuestewald, Hans Christopher, & Nikki DeParis Shared the Stage With a Superstar Gecko | SXSW
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THE JAYDAYS, Jaylan Salah (Geek Vibes Nation); Interview [LiNK]
CINEUROPA, Olivia Popp
“Really enjoyed the film's visual style”
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MOVIEWEB, Matt Mahler (LINK)
“The new film Reeling intimately explores this tendency, evoking pain-responsive apathy in a way that makes the audience feel the same as the uncomfortable characters on screen.”
“The climax does a good job of displaying the resentment, pettiness, and selfishness of people in general, especially when they have no choice but to confront the person or issue they've been avoiding.”
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EYE FOR FILM, March 16, 2025: “The shape of memory” by Paul Risker
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INDIEWIRE, March 11, 2025: “SXSW 2025: How 45 Cinematographers Shot Their Festival Features” by Staff
THE JAYDAYS, March 12, 2025: “Jaylan Salah Interviews the Director and Cast of REELING [SXSW]” by Jaylan Salah
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HEC4U-wzuA
NO FILM SCHOOL, March 12, 2025: “SXSW 2025 Filmmakers Share Their Best Advice for Those Starting Out” by Jourdan Aldredge
https://nofilmschool.com/sxsw-2025-filmmakers-share-their-best-advice-for-those-starting-out#
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WUSB 90.1FM, March 12, 2025: “Billy Baldwin & REELING Cast and Crew on SOUNDS OF FILM with Tom Needham” by Tom Needham
https://www.wusb.fm/node/83177
YANKTON DAILY PRESS & DAKOTAN, March 14, 2025: “Talent With Yankton Ties Makes Impression At Film Festival” by Nathan Johnson
https://www.yankton.net/community/article_824b37e8-0138-11f0-b4ec-dbc93f3e9b5b.html
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DIASPORA, March 19, 2025: “SXSW 2025 Served Wildly Unapologetic Progressive Film & TV, Bold Ideas, and Endless Breakfast Tacos” by Dino-Ray Ramos (Mixed-Negative)
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HYPER REAL FILM, March 3, 2025: “SXSW Film Festival Preview: Friendship, Death of a Unicorn and more” by Staff
https://hyperrealfilm.club/reviews/sxsw-25-preview
INTERCUT PODCAST, February 18, 2025: “SXSW 2025 Preview & Film Breakdown | Intercut Explains” by Arturo Zurita, Zach Shevich, & Amanda The Jedi
https://www.theatzshow.com/intercut-podcast-episodes/sxsw-2025-preview
LOUD AND CLEAR REVIEWS, February 25, 2025: “SXSW 2025: 10 Movies to Watch” by Staff
https://loudandclearreviews.com/sxsw-2025-10-movies-to-watch/
MOVIE WEB, February 17, 2025: “SXSW 2025 Movies & Shows Everyone Will Be Talking About This Year” by Matt Mahler
https://movieweb.com/sxsw-movies-2025-lineup/
REEL NEWS DAILY, March 2, 2025: “SXSW 2025: This year is all about kicking ass and making names with new filmmakers taking the leap.” By Liz Whittemore
https://reelnewsdaily.com/2025/03/02/sxsw-2025-his-year-is-kicking-ass/