Taylor Cusimano
Contributing Writer
On Feb. 15, the 40th Santa Barbara International Film Festival (SBIFF) concluded its 12-day celebration of global cinema with the U.S. premiere of “A Missing Part,” a moving Belgian-French drama directed by Guillaume Senez. Hosted at the Arlington Theatre, this screening marked the festival’s final event, concluding an exciting and diverse program of global filmmaking.
For four decades, SBIFF has been integral to the city’s vibrant arts scene. It provides a platform for filmmakers to share their stories and cultivates a strong bond between audiences and cinema. Each year, the closing night film celebrates the culmination of this connection, highlighting the festival’s dedication to showcasing impactful storytelling.
As the festival came to a close, Managing Director Sean Pratt addressed the audience, reflecting on its lasting impact: “For the past 12 days, we have been part of something beautiful — we have cried, laughed, been scared, and been comforted together.” He left the crowd with a final reminder: “Remember what you saw, what you felt, and, above all, remember that you did not experience it alone.”
The festival’s sentiment of connection resonates deeply within “A Missing Part,” which centers on Jay, a French private car driver navigating the bustling streets of Tokyo. For nine years, he has tirelessly searched for his daughter, Lily, who was taken from him by his wife following their separation. These shared emotions of longing, perseverance, and ache of lost family have the power to bind individuals together, reflecting the deep connections that shape the human experience.
Jay’s relentless quest unfolds against the backdrop of Japan’s “clean break” family law, which strips foreign parents of even the most basic custodial rights. This legal system offers little recourse for parents like Jay, denying them the ability to contact their children post-separation. For almost a decade, Jay has lived with this pain, struggling to find a way to reach his daughter. “A Missing Part” captures the excruciating tension of this experience, immersing viewers in the emotional turmoil of a father trapped in a system that offers no justice.
As the years pass and hope begins to fade, Jay finds himself on the verge of returning to France. Just when he is ready to give up, fate intervenes. One morning, Jay unknowingly picks up his daughter, now 12, for his routine school run. At first, their encounters are brief and casual, but, as Jay’s curiosity grows, he slowly begins to realize the girl in his back seat is his daughter.
What begins as routine shifts into a quiet, emotional reunion as Jay pieces together the truth. Just as their fragile bond begins to form, however, external forces tear them apart. As a foreigner in Japan, Jay is arrested and swiftly deported after his contact with Lily is discovered. His hopes of rebuilding a relationship with her are shattered, not only by his deportation but also by the legal and cultural barriers that stand between them. Despite the loss, Lily leaves him with a silent act of defiance — she secretly shares her iPhone location, a small, but powerful gesture that offers a glimmer of hope for the future.
Romain Duris delivers a powerful performance as Jay, bringing the character to life with subtle strength, vulnerability, and a genuine sense of longing. His nuanced portrayal of a father’s relentless pursuit, allows his emotional journey to resonate deeply with the audience. Through Jay’s interactions with Jessica (Judith Chemla), another French parent searching for her child, Senez’s film delicately unveils the complexities of these situations, offering glimpses into the personal struggles and the emotional burden they carry.
“A Missing Part” sheds light on the harsh realities of Japan’s family law system, which makes it nearly impossible for foreign parents to gain custody or even maintain contact with their children post-separation.
While Jay’s brief reunion with Lily is marked by heartbreak, the film concludes with them connected through the locations on their phones, removing the uncertainty of their whereabouts. This newfound awareness underscores the enduring power of a father’s love and the possibility of reconciliation, regardless of the distance or time apart.
This tender yet gripping narrative is more than just a story of parental separation; it is a stark reminder of the emotional and psychological costs imposed by family laws that overlook the needs of foreign parents. “A Missing Part“ delves into the quiet strength of love and the belief that, despite overwhelming challenges, family bonds can be mended.
More than merely an escape, the film acts as a mirror — reflecting themes of love, loss, and resilience. It challenges viewers to confront painful realities while offering the hope that no one has to endure their struggles alone. The festival’s closing night reaffirmed the transformative power of cinema, showcasing how it can illuminate and connect the human experience, just as SBIFF celebrates the diverse stories that unite the community.