First Zone: Sombre, unambiguous, and sparse tale of Climate Crisis

Sombre, unambiguous, and sparse in dialogue (though with a great deal to say in narrative), Thom Lunshof’s debut feature First Zone stars Hadewych Minis and features the stark cinematography of Sam El Hassani. It explores themes of climate emergency, making it universal for its Edinburgh International Film Festival audience. An absence of special effects and stylised techniques gives it a documentary-style finish, while the lack of conversation throughout allows us time to ponder our existence and consider the impacts of global warming. 

First Zone tells the tale of Fenna, a woman who has lost her family to a dystopian world. Living within the confines of a disused wind turbine, Fenna resourcefully equips herself with the essentials and a necklace which, carrying a reminder of her family, is so clearly dear to her.

The film’s environment is seemingly divided into geographical zones – a caption informs us that Fenna lives in Zone 1 – though the details are left unexplained. After a fall during a storm Fenna awakens on a family boat somewhere in Zone 11 and decides she must make her way back. She encounters a traveller friend, Ive, as she works out the safest route home, determinedly traversing through water to Zone 1.

The film reminds us that roughly a third of the Netherlands sits below sea level, leveraging this into a grim saga that sees Fenna return to Zone 1 across a bleakly flooded setting. Stark cinematography, sparse dialogue, and themes of climate emergency, loss, and grief all combine to render this film a bleak watch.

Minis’ portrayal of Fenna, who is continually forlorn, cold, and seemingly hard as nails, adds to the film’s grim reality. Impactful and gritty with a glimpse into the future, there’s a universality to this affecting piece of cinema. The performances and grade, wide angle long shots, and scenes of wading through water-drenched land all add to the film’s documentary feel, sparking an urge to run out and escape the film theatre.

A dystopian sci-fi tale of loss and wetlands, this unsettling film will linger on in your mind long after you’ve finally escaped. 

First Zone received its UK premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival 2026, with remaining screenings on Tuesday 18th August

First Zone