If grinding in the bustling streets of NYC isn’t enough for a Broadway actress, an uninvited guest in her apartment might be just the thing to put her over the edge.
As someone who went to school for musical theatre in the city, short film Steve spoke to me in a very specific way. Star and writer, Amber Iman, is the “private me” on film. I have never felt more “seen”, as the kids say, as watching an extroverted, fellow theatre kid in her element. In real life, Iman is a Broadway star and it shows. Living in Manhattan is its own experience. Everyone, at least once, has had a mouse in their apartment. It’s basically a right of passage. We all react in pretty much the same way, with few exceptions. Amber Iman takes all of that energy and translates it into the funniest short I’ve yet to see. My husband had headphones on while I was watching this film. I was laughing so loud he took them off and laughed with me having no knowledge of what I was watching. Iman’s chemistry in her brief scenes that include other cast members is downright hilarious. But, for the majority of the film, she is speaking directly to her unwanted guest. It is the full range of emotions and then some. Who needs a professional reel when you have this short to show casting directors? The simplicity and relatable nature make Steve a brilliant treatment for Iman to have her own series, even if that was not the intention. I would not be mad at that notion. Director Jason Hightower‘s resume is massive. Great call on connecting with this script and Amber.
As a parent, sometimes a film is like a slap in the face. Agustin McCarthy‘, LOOK AT LUCAS is one such short. The plot is simple, a mother and son take a weekend away at the beach. Mom struggles to leave work at work and her son simply wants to spend time together. Parenting today looks very different than it has in the past. With all the stress and expectations, sometimes our phones are the only respite from constant interaction with our jobs or our children. But, most of the time, they are a distraction tool. As a work-at-home-Mom, scrolling through other people’s lives for 10 minutes makes me feel less anxious, all the while I know that energy should be going to my kids, even if I am only a human who needs a mental break from time to time. Watching this sort of story play out from the outside was an entirely different experience. Seeing that scenario from the eyes of a child felt sobering. In the film, we track Mom Lacey desperately trying to finish a work call but also taking plenty of time for Instagram and the like. Her son Lucas just wants his mother to play with him, nothing more. As Lucas plays without attention, your anxiety will undoubtedly rise. You’re sort of waiting for the other shoe to drop but it will not be what you’re expecting. You will recognize yourself in the frustrated tone in actress Jessica Frances Dukes‘ voice. You may see your child in the eyes of Daniel Mekonen. McCarthy’s writing and directing make it easy to do. With a beautiful setting and relatable premise, LOOK AT LUCAS is a fantastic reminder to stop and look up. It can be the most important thing you do for your family.
The directorial debut from Abraham Adeyemi, ‘No More Wings‘ in the Don’t Look Back program was the winner of the Best Narrative Short Competition at Tribeca 2020. Once you experience the film for yourself, you’ll immediately understand why. With captivating storytelling, in a mere 10 minutes, you will experience two lifetimes of memories, regrets, and choices. There is a heavy cyclical feeling you cannot shake as you watch. The authenticity of the writing, directing, and performances will stick with you long after the credits. I was lucky enough to interview Abraham during the festival and get to peek behind the curtain of the process and the mindset. I cannot wait to see what is coming to audiences next.
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