‘Rip it open’: Big Girls Don’t Cry director explores wounds of early love in film festival hit
Paloma Schneideman's film 'Rip it open' examines early romantic trauma, consent, and queer identity in a New Zealand coming‑of‑age story. Premiering at a film festival, the director highlights how youthful love can leave lasting emotional scars. The movie uses intimate storytelling to address broader themes of vulnerability and sexual agency among young adults for youth.