Solace is a breath of fresh air.

With writer/director Tchaiko Omawale at the helm, this coming-of-age story doesn’t tackle the stereotypical issues seen in many other young adult films. Here, Omawale pushes boundaries with Solace‘s progressive subject matter, which includes self-harm, eating disorders, and body dysmorphia, all set in the upper middle class of Ladera Heights, a predominantly African American community. The LA Film Festival is the perfect launching point for a film like Solace, and it’s my hope that this film continues to be shown around the world because issues like the ones seen here are not exclusive to Los Angeles.

Seventeen-year-old Sole (Hope Olaide Wilson) is struggling. After her father’s death, the New York City teen is ordered by the court to relocate to Los Angeles to stay with her last living relative, her maternal grandmother, Irene (Lynn Whitfield). Irene’s church-going and preachy behavior doesn’t sit well with the defiant Sole, whose atheist and vegan ways are consistently at odds with her elder. Sole feels like no one understands her, and so she turns to food for comfort. Binge eating takes the pain away, if only for a few moments.

‘Solace’, the newly announced LA Muse Special Mention and Best Ensemble Cast winner, stands out as a great independent film with a fantastically relevant social message.

Looking for a way out of LA, Sole discovers a performance art grant that promises a trip back to New York. Desperate to go back to the life she had, Sole recruits her next-door neighbors Jasmine (Chelsea Tavares) and Guedado (Luke Rampersad), who also seem to be societal misfits, to help her achieve her goal of getting the grant. It’s while working with them that Sole finds solace in this chosen family while simultaneously discovering herself along the way.

Acknowledging and overcoming self-destructive behaviors is at the heart of Solace, and the most important take away is realizing that we all struggle with something. External behavior doesn’t necessarily reflect the emotional struggle one may be going through, regardless of age, gender, and race. Hope Olaide Wilson’s performance is strong and heartfelt, making her a character we can all find a way to relate to.

Solace is a bold new voice in the filmmaking arena and with its timely message of women taking a stand and having their voices be heard, director Tchaiko Omawale has not only made a great film with distinctively stylish cinematography, but also an honest reflection of mental health. Solace, the newly announced LA Muse Special Mention and Best Ensemble Cast winner, stands out as a great independent film with a fantastically relevant social message.

‘Solace’ is not rated. 81 minutes.