A tempestuous romantic drama in seven vignettes that chronicles an interracial marriage, telling a story of turmoil and tenderness as two people try to make their relationship last.
The authenticity of this script is genuinely astounding. These words are coming from a place of experience, they have a lived-in feel that is palpable through the screen. Each vignette represents a major emotional turning point in the relationship between our two protagonists, Noah and Madison. These scenes are a beautiful mix of highs and lows but mostly honesty. Marriage is something that must be worked on every single day. This film tackles big issues; personal ambition, grief, racism, resentment, growth, adulthood myths, and gender-based communication dynamics. The physical transformation the actors go through as we cross over 10 years of their experiences is fantastic. Performances from Drez Ryan and Chynna Walker, are truly impressive. Writer-Director Chris Hansen has given the audience a carefully crafted piece of storytelling.
If I had to nit-pick, it was very clear that Walker is not a dancer in real-life. In Vignette II, there is a choreographed scene that is meant to establish her passion for her art. This could easily have been edited to cheat her abilities. As a dancer myself, it was actually distracting. That aside, every other aspect of this indie is glorious. Two scenes in particular feature close-ups of Madison. This specific choice was so effective in those moments. It had a visceral impact on me and isn’t that what every filmmaker is trying to achieve. It’s a film I cannot stop thinking about having lived many of the same experiences. It gives us permission to accept that it’s okay to not be okay. Seven Short Films About (Our) Marriage premieres tomorrow night at the 2020 Cinequest Films Festival. I highly recommend you get a ticket. This is one that will resonate with you for a long time.
Century 20 Redwood City – Screen 17 Sat, Mar 7 7:00 PM
California Theatre, San Jose Mon, Mar 9 4:45 PM
Century 20 Redwood City – Screen 18 Wed, Mar 11 6:00 PM
This unexpected indie takes your heart by surprise within minutes. It’s part folklore, part road movie, and all charm. When four girls are called together to hear the reading of the will of their former headmistress, sparks fly and memories burn with truth and misunderstanding. I was not expecting this story to turn into a road movie at all, although with a character that is a suitcase with a personality (you’ll just have to watch to understand what I mean) I guess I should have predicted it in hindsight. While a small piece of the plot does revolve around a fiancé, the dialogue definitely passes The Bechdel Test with flying colors. 
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