Are You Still There? | Short Film about Grief
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- Опубликовано: 5 янв 2022
- Safa’s been through a lot. Now her car battery's dead in a strip mall parking lot.
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Are You Still There?
Directed by Rayka Zehtabchi and Sam Davis
samdavisdp.com / raykazehtabchi.com
"On the list of most frustrating things that could happen on a given day, having a car that won’t start is definitely up there. Safa already has a lot on her mind, so when her battery dies in a parking lot, she is stuck, frustrated, and is given reason to confront more about her life than an unreliable automobile. Prolific filmmaking duo Rayka Zehtabchi and Sam Davis (known for (SHn(y)o͞of) and the 2019 Oscar-winner, Period. End of Sentence) are back on S/W with their latest short, Are You Still There? With sensitivity and subtlety, the team craft a deeply moving family drama where an every day headache serves as a jumping-off point for a poignant exploration of grief and memory.
What do you do when your car breaks down? In the United States most would call AAA, a member organization that has some perks, most notably roadside assistance. Safa does the same, but one problem-she’s not the name on the account-that would be her Father. With her car broken down, her Mom busy at work, and the convenience store owner she’s parked out in front of pounding on her window, Safa is stressed out and not ready to unpack her repressed feelings regarding him.
Like many filmmakers, Zehtabchi and Davis drew inspiration for Are You Still There? from personal experience, but explaining that connection requires *SPOILERS*, so proceed with caution.
***
Grief can be tricky and complex. We all process in our own ways, which is why sometimes the most random event can be triggering. For Zehtabchi, it was a flat tire. She writes,
My father passed away during my first year of college. Despite pressure from my family and friends to take the semester off, I decided to return only a week after his passing. I believed that in order to survive the moment, I needed to throw myself into film school and tune out the grief. A month later, my tire burst as I was driving down the highway. As I pulled over to the side of the road, my first reaction was to dial my dad’s number. I could no longer run from it. A month’s worth of suppressed pain finally came roaring to the surface on the side of the I-10 freeway. It was a simple flat tire that forced me to stop and face my new reality of living without him.
The frustration caused by a car that can’t keep you going becomes both literal and metaphorical. In that vulnerable moment, everything that has been kept under control suddenly springs out in a gushing sensation (“suppressed pain finally came roaring to the surface”). Zehtabchi chose to build the film around this hinge moment, but uses artistic license in relating her personal story in order to have the space and time to examine the ramifications in a narratively compelling manner-preserving mystery, drawing out tension, and playing up the external environment. [Continue reading on shortoftheweek.com] - S/W Curator Céline Roustan
Safa: Safa Tarifi
Roya: Rima Haddad
DP / Editor / Sound Designer: Sam Davis
Production Designer: Sydney Weinberger
1st Assistant Director: Ryan Wagner
Costume Designer: Meredith Peebles
Prop Master: Genevieve Parkes
Gaffer: John Fisher
Key Grip: Daniel Abbott & Nelson "J.J." Flores
EP: Darren Gealta
Co-Producers: Derek Tonks & Sarah Bazzi
Associate Producers: Matthew Stanley & David Junker
Music Supervisor: Emily Roman
1st AC: Jeff Vanderpool
Boom Operator: Anthony Newen
Reproduced on this channel with the permission of the filmmakers. 
Кино
![Kehlani - Next 2 U [Official Music Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/MpI7ekFG8A0/mqdefault.jpg)
If you know, you know. I love that this video portrays the grief that lingers. When a loss is no longer brand new, but it's still recent enough that there are moments like knives. It's the little things that sneak up on you, they can be so painful, but sometimes they can also be bittersweet.
Show me how to talk like u. To say what I wanna say ever so fluidly , gracefully and beautifully
The actress portrayed the mounting frustration really well. Kudos to her 👏🏼
hell hath no fury like a Asian woman. when she finally realized the problem she showed compassion to the young girl with trouble.
That was a beautiful scene.
I lost my dad at 15 almost 16 it’s hard but what you’ve gotta remember is even though they aren’t there physically they’re still there
Man it's unbelievable hard fk this world
When you have the gift of eternal life through the sacrifice of Jesus, you never gotta worry about not seeing your family again if you are all born again ❤️
I lost my mom at 14. Her parents raised me after. They were the best. I lost the last parental figure I had in my grandma in 2020, but at least I know I was there for her so she could die as she wanted. In her home, in her sleep. Before she got too bad. I kept my promise to my grandpa on his deathbed to take care of her. Ironically all I have is my dad, but it's been a long time since he was any kind of parent to me. I feel like a lost little girl again.
i watched this video this morning and then went to the grocery store. my card was declined because it was under my moms name and there’s a hold on her account since her passing. i had a breakdown in my car right afterwards and i just thought that was pretty ironic
funny how my dad birthday same with her dad too, it’s already a month since my dad passed away. i miss him so much, the grief is still lingers, no matter how hard i tried to feel okay i’ll never be okay. it’s really hard to accept the truth that my dad is on better place now.
Incredible cinematography I know I might not be the only one who noticed but this feels very A24-esque. Especially with the aspect ratio.
Yep. My husband was a mechanic. After he died. It was more than a fear of being alone. It is learning all of life alone....
I lost my soulmate this November. We've been together for over a decade. We have an 20 month old. He handled a lot of the serious adult things like finances while I took care of the baby. Now that's he's gone it's not only the pain of my love not being here physically but it's literally being scared of learning all these things on my own...
I’m glad im 20 alone that way I won’t get attached to no male
@@laurenmasuda8569 I'm sorry for your loss… I also lost my girlfriend in November after more than 14 years together. A sepsis took her from me in only 3 days, she was just 38… it's like a nightmare.
@@serpadre87 my condolences...you know how I'm feeling too. My beloved was only 30. This is a nightmare
@@laurenmasuda8569 damn, 30 is so young too, so unfair… I wish you the best in this absurdly complicated situation. Take care
Really wonderful and thoughtful. So much to say but no need to say it. Thank you for your hard work.
I lost my dad.. grief is with me everyday.
Their presence lingers.
This is so accurate and beautifully made.
This was unexpected and beautiful. Thank you 🌹
This was beautiful
This has to be one of my favourite short films ever
Uriel I miss you so much. It’s been 18 days too long. Our daughter misses you so much. 27 was too soon.
God bless you
Thank you. It’s almost 6 months. I still cry everyday. I miss him. We used to dance on the porch together and now I dance myself in circles. I miss him.
@@ashleymarie8212 you are not doing dances alone. He still with you, darling, believe me. You can feel it. I believe that this bright man wants you to smile and live a great life for him and your daughter. Sorry for provoking emotions, maybe it's Lord made me write to you. Please be strong 🙏 please
Rest peacefully, Uriel 🕊🫶💕
Same my beloved was 30 he passed Nov 27th. I know your pain. We have a 20 month old baby
Lost my dad back in November I’m still a teen it’s quite hard all the big moments I won’t get to experience and even just the little ones to
I miss you mom
God bless you
Brilliant! ❤️
I simply loved this short film :)
I loved this...
Amazing film simply amazing
Masterpiece
Really Good
Proud Arab❤️
i feel like i just watched a video reflection of myself. my dad used to wear those kinds of hats all the time
It's a lebanese short film!! I love it🎉❤
12:25 the music is cool
Song please? In the beginning of film
A year late but it’s called tales from the east :)
Should've let Jose jump it for you.
Lol....for sure!
Safa brian😂😂
I do not understand the video can someone please explain
The girl's father had passed away... When the woman on the line asked if she could talk to her father, she just couldn't contain her sadness and she ended the call... I hope you understood😅
@@snehafrancis2331 oh wow thank you now I understand
@@lo-fi3372 That's good to know 🤗
This made jump starting a car ticket science. She could have avoided a whole day wasted regardless of the grief.
🤷🏻♂️
How did Mom know where to find her? Safa only told her she was "in a parking lot." Also, you shouldn't have to label a film as "about grief." That should come through without the crutch of such a title.
Because stating the address of a donut shop in california isn't a necessary part of the plot within a short film, it adds nothing to the film to have her state the name or address of this parking lot.
And because stating the theme of the short film in the title of a youtube video can help drive traffic and clicks via searches and the algorithm. You may not have clicked this because it says "about grief" in the title, but someone else did. Most of the short films on this account will state the theme or tone of a short film in the title of the video because it helps inform viewers what they may be watching. You shouldn't have to label a short film, I agree, but it helps bring people in if they're looking for something.
Short of The week labels videos so people know what they're clicking on. It worked on you. Also, with the Mom thing, there's a time jump. I don't think it's some big plot hole
@@Hydrantchan lol. You said what I said much more eloquently
@@Hydrantchan Detracts from the logical coherence if the mother has no way of knowing where her daughter is. All that would be needed is something like, "I'm at mall." Nothing boringly specific.
@@MrJjrob97 Good answer on the first. On the second, she hangs up with her mother before the time jump.
Shit lame only good thing she turned into Elmer Fudd for a second with that hat on at the end
go make a short film yourself then, since you are so much better at it. ❤
Go and ride a camel, what are you doing with a car ??
Especially now that ⛽️ prices went up 😭