Sweetness in the Belly

Sweetness in the Belly

Directed by Zeresenay Mehari

Produced by Parallel Films, Sienna Films

2019111 min6.2 / 10

A melancholic, character-driven exploration of displacement, belonging, and hidden longing told through the intertwined lives of refugee women in 1970s London.

Orphaned in Africa as a child, Lilly escapes to England as a refugee, fleeing civil war in Ethiopia. Lost in this cold new world, Lilly embraces the immigrant community in London, attempting to reunite people with their scattered families. But as her friend Amina discovers, Lilly's mission isn't purely selfless: a passionate lost love affair is revealed.

Questions people ask

  • Is Sweetness in the Belly sad? Yes. More sad than 88% of films.

  • Is Sweetness in the Belly easy watching? Somewhat. More comforting than 60% of films.

  • Is Sweetness in the Belly violent? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Does Sweetness in the Belly end with hope? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

  • Is Sweetness in the Belly scary? About average. Almost exactly mid-range.

These describe how the film comes across, measured across the whole film and compared with other well-known films. They are not a content list — nothing here was counted or checked scene by scene, so for age-suitability or specific content use a classification board or a dedicated content-warning service.

32/ 100

Cinnamon Score

How much this film gives you that nothing else will, and whether it delivers.

You have seen this shape before.

Rarity41

How unlike any other film this one feels

Surprise25

How much more it delivers than it promises

Love30

How much audiences actually like it

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Ensemble

Like Sweetness in the Belly

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Like Sweetness in the Belly, But Darker

Similar, pushed toward heavier and more intense.

Like Sweetness in the Belly, But Lighter

Similar, pushed toward warmer and easier.

Like Sweetness in the Belly, But Less Popular

Same territory, far fewer people have seen it.

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