‘MY LAST WORDS’ (Big Apple FF 2024) A one-man show romantasy

MY LAST WORDS

My Last Words (2024) - www.imdb.com

Adam Kiss wears almost every hat in the production of his film MY LAST WORDS. Noah is quite eccentric. He is profoundly intelligent, a hopeless romantic, and freely shares every feeling that passes his mind. Following the ending of a relationship and a failed suicide attempt, he needs a refuge to write. Noah escapes to a quiet guest house only to find a mystery woman on his doorstep one night. Her presence sparks a rekindled spirit for living.

My Last Words Adam and ChristinaThe dialogue, 90% from Noah, has a poetic energy. Once the mysterious woman appears, the story feels similar to The Little Mermaid, but from the Prince’s perspective. However, that would suggest an oversimplification of the script, and I must give more credit. It quickly evolves. Through his writing and delivery, you can glean Kiss’s immense knowledge of opera, poetry, and literature.

The cinematography and editing styles match the dialogue, with creative throwback shots and black-and-white intercut scenes. The score entirely of Franz Liszt and Christina Kiss (who performs every note) is perfect.

My Last Words Adam (2024) - www.imdb.comNicole Benoit is lovely playing our enigmatic Mary. She understands the genre intrinsically. Her chemistry with Kiss feels authentic. Adam Kiss portrays Noah in the exact way you might imagine, given his script’s structure. His operatic tone of voice and stageworthy physical presence perfectly match the character.

My Last Words Mary and Adam (2024) - www.imdb.comThe clues that something is not quite right glare from the moment we meet her. It is all exceptionally dramatic, with events flowing like the novel Noah should be writing. Suspension of disbelief is key. Romantasy fans will recognize the classic tropes. I love the An Affair To Remember reference. While MY LAST WORDS might be slightly self-indulgent (Mom of the Year goes to Christina Kiss for acting as Executive Producer), it is also a very personal passion project that undoubtedly has an audience.

My Last Words Trailer:

“My Last Words” is the debut feature film from US actor/director/writer Adam Kiss. The film is set for its world premiere on December 10th at the Big Apple Film Festival in NYC.

After learning that his wife is going to leave him and that he doesn’t have long to live, a novelist (Kiss) isolates himself as he attempts to write his masterpiece in the seclusion of a family friend’s guest house. Once there, his failed attempt at suicide leads to him meeting a mysterious woman who changes his life forever and with whom he becomes romantically involved. As time goes by, he notices more strange and inexplicable details about her, as the lines between fantasy and reality begin to blur.

For more Big Apple Film Festival coverage, click here!

 

‘Sally, Get The Potatoes’ (2024) Danicah Waldo short dazzles at The Big Apple Film Festival

SALLY, GET THE POTATOES

Sally, Get The Potatoes

Filmmaker Danicah Waldo brings drama and sweetness to The Big Apple Film Festival with her short film SALLY, GET THE POTATOES. Our titular little lady is the youngest of a well-off household. The precocious redhead, just looking for someone to play with her, gets tasked with procuring the potatoes for her overwhelmed chef mother. 

Sally, Get The Potatoes tubSomething is happening within the family. Every member has a secret, leaving Sally with no one but her beloved housekeeper to care for her needs. Once Magdelaina, the heart of the household, gets dragged into the chaos, Sally intrusively discovers the extent of the mess.

Sally, Get The PotatoesKynlee Heiman is a star as Sally. The camera loves her sweet face and her wily personality. She is relentlessly charming. As the mother of a seven-year-old daughter, Heiman captures the spirit of play, the longing for connection, and the IDGAF determination of a girl. 

Sally, Get The Potatoes pantryThe camera work from Mike Lobello and Paul W. Sauline is brilliant. The audience experiences the goings-on from a child’s eye level. Beautifully lit close-ups of Sally convey the emotional rollercoaster. SALLY, GET THE POTATOES delves into familial dynamics through the eyes of a child and proves socioeconomic standing never lessens relationship complexity. The film is an incredible treatment for a feature. I want to see more of each character, but particularly Sally.

Sally, Get the Potatoes premieres at The Big Apple Film Festival, Wednesday 5/22
 

 

DANICAH WALDO – BIO

Danicah Waldo - Headshot

Danicah Waldo is a director, writer and producer based out of New York City. After spending her childhood performing on the stage and screen, she ultimately fell in love with the work behind the camera. Danicah got her 10,000 hours directing and producing narrative short films starring kids for the Applause New York YouTube channel, which now sits at 1.5 million subscribers and 1 billion views.

In 2021 she joined LIT Videobooks, where they make documentary versions of best-selling nonfiction books. She now holds the title of Director of Production, which includes overseeing all production operations while directing the live-action elements of the videobooks.

She started Yellow Chair Films to produce her debut short film, Sally, Get the Potatoes, set to premiere in early 2024.

For more Short Film reviews, click here!