The happy memory of what it once was when contrasted against a painful present is what constitutes ‘When They First’. The title, a deliberate incomplete sentence, bolsters this juxtaposition further, as it introduces us to the two characters and the circuitous trajectory of their relationship. The visuals are paired with a completely opposite voiceover, the dual elements of the narrative representative of the two said realities in the lives of the characters. The storytelling is marked by a freshness of voice which allows the film to succeed as a cohesive whole. The young team, from the director-writer to the actors and the cinematographer, all evidence notable strengths. Finally, despite a few rough edges, the exploration of the romance presented thus remains marked by an unmissable intimacy, along with a seamless overlap of its many elements.

When They First | Short Film of the Day

The estrangement of a couple of months precedes the meeting the film presents to the viewer. The awkwardness nestled in the separation soon diffuses as the two sisters before us begin their exchange. 

What starts with banter and innocent hesitation turns into an extremely heated argument in a heartbeat, swiftly bringing the many issues and undercurrents that define a familial dynamic to the fore. It also pronounces the sentiment established in the title of the film. This escalation within the plot arrives with ease, both as a result of the performances as well as the construction of the narrative. 

The limited physical space of a single room thus comes to stand for several unresolved issues between the sisters, presenting a concise endeavor that displays a natural affinity towards storytelling, and the promise of more similar emotional explorations in the future.

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