Raine Allen-Miller, a British director who became the talk of Sundance in January, has jokingly described her highly praised debut feature, which is based on a script by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, as a story about two people having a wonderful day together. That's a deceptively straightforward description of a romp that effortlessly combines Peep Show's in-your-face visual cheekiness with the "limited time" romcom format of Richard Linklater's Before trilogy. Rye Lane blends the warmth and charm of a formulaic love story with the colorfully street-smart grit of British films like Shola Amoo's A Moving Image or more recently Reggie Yates's Pirates, creating something that is at once playful, poignant, and personal. It unfolds against the vibrantly photographed backdrop of sunny south London locations (Peckham, Brixton, and the South Bank).

Rye Lane

Yas and Dom, two young guns who meet in the gender-neutral restrooms of an art gallery—"Of all the toilets in all of London"—where he is crying his heart out after breaking up with his girlfriend Gia (Karene Peter), are played by rising stars Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson. This is private," Dom blubs from the safe-haven of his work area, to which hopeful outfit fashioner Yas pungently answers: " The newlyweds spend the remainder of the day walking and conversing their way through the "mess" of their respective lives, proving that "it's not that private."


Having been inconsiderately usurped by his long-term companion Eric (Benjamin Sarpong-Broni, diverting puppyish, problematic energy), bookkeeper Dom is presently back living with his folks, remaining alive on a tight eating routine of computer games, self indulgence and bubbled eggs. As for Yas, she has ended her relationship with her pretentious artist partner because she realized that he is not the kind of guy who would wave at passing boats on the Thames, which is a sure sign that they are not compatible. Yas and Dom both have unresolved issues with their ex-partners, and in the following hours, they will set out to settle a few old scores (including finding a piece of vintage vinyl) while inevitably falling into each other's arms, if only hesitantly.

Raine Allen-Miller, a British director who became the talk of Sundance in January, has jokingly described her praise-laden debut feature, which is based on a script by Nathan Bryon and Tom Melia, as a story about two people having a wonderful day together. That's a deceptively straightforward description of a romp that effortlessly combines Peep Show's in-your-face visual cheekiness with the "limited time" romcom format of Richard Linklater's Before trilogy. Rye Lane blends the warmth and charm of a formulaic love story with the colorfully street-smart grit of British films like Shola Amoo's A Moving Image or more recently Reggie Yates's Pirates, creating something that is at once playful, poignant, and personal. It unfolds against the vibrantly photographed backdrop of sunny south London locations (Peckham, Brixton, and the South Bank).


Yas and Dom, two young guns who meet in the gender-neutral restrooms of an art gallery—"Of all the toilets in all of London"—where he is crying his heart out after breaking up with his girlfriend Gia (Karene Peter), are played by rising stars Vivian Oparah and David Jonsson. Dom cries from the safety of his cubicle, "This is private," to which aspiring costume designer Yas sharply responds, " It isn't so private" - a reality borne out by the way that the recently mets use the remainder of the day strolling and talking their direction through the "wreck" of their individual lives.


Dom, an accountant, is back living with his parents and surviving on self-pity, boiled eggs, video games, and his longtime friend Eric (Benjamin Sarpong-Broni, channeling puppyish, disruptive energy). As for Yas, she has ended her relationship with her pretentious artist partner because she realized that he is not the kind of guy who would wave at passing boats on the Thames, which is a sure sign that they are not compatible. Yas and Dom both have unresolved issues with their ex-partners, and in the following hours, they will set out to settle a few old scores (including finding a piece of vintage vinyl) while inevitably falling into each other's arms, if only hesitantly.