Alex Burunova’s Satisfaction Debuts to Critical Acclaim at SXSW, Ahead of International Launch

May 17, 2025

Writer-director Alex Burunova has brought her long-awaited debut feature Satisfaction to life with a celebrated world premiere at the SXSW Film Festival 2025. The film, nearly ten years in the making, was featured in the Narrative Spotlight program where it quickly drew critical attention for its daring structure, bold visual language, and deeply felt performances.

At its heart, Satisfaction tells the story of Lola, a British composer played by Emma Laird, who travels with her partner Philip to a remote Greek island. Their relationship, already strained, is pushed to the breaking point when Lola invites another woman into their orbit, setting off a chain of events that forces her to confront long-buried trauma. Set between the stark beauty of Greece and the intimacy of London, the film examines questions of identity, intimacy, memory, and female agency through a sensorial and immersive approach to storytelling.

Critics at SXSW praised both the ambition of the filmmaking and the intensity of the performances. Deadline called Emma Laird’s portrayal “stunning” and highlighted Burunova’s strong directorial voice, while Filmmaker Magazine noted that the nonlinear storytelling structure mirrors the way memory and trauma surface in real life. Cineuropa described the film as a visually rich psychological drama that probes patriarchal dynamics and romantic disillusionment, applauding its emotional potency even as it challenges audiences with its fractured timeline. Across the board, reviewers commended Burunova’s ability to balance emotional nuance with striking imagery, and several highlighted the film as an auspicious debut for a new filmmaker to watch.

Following its SXSW launch, Satisfaction secured UTA for domestic representation, while international sales are being handled by Alief, positioning the film for a wider global rollout. With its themes of desire, reckoning, and the complexity of female experience, Satisfaction is now set to embark on its festival circuit and prepare for international audiences.

Watch the official teaser here: Satisfaction