The narrative of the film makes the most judicious and notable use of camerawork, coupled with sound, to conjure its story. A pre-teen girl is navigating ideas of sexuality, trying to locate her own relationship with her body and desire. Part of a household that is ravaged by divorce and parents who refuse to see each other eye-to-eye, she finds herself turning to books, peers and her own lived reality. Since the film is set in 1983, of course all this information is not simply a few web searches away on her smartphone. It's important to mention the year of the story also because it does a wonderful portrayal of a world away from the internet and technology, making the viewer forget that there might actually exist another reality. What stands out the most is the film's unique exploration of the sexual desires of an age group that rarely makes its presence felt in mainstream art and media. Add to it stellar performances by the young cast, and there is nothing in How Does it Start that will leave the viewer unimpressed after their engagement with the film.

How Does It Start | Short Film of the Day

A group of girls are on a sleepover in a suburban neighborhood and trying to fix a situation without getting the adults involved. The boy who is the sole cause of this situation is blissfully unaware of the events that are unfolding before you, as the narrative goes ahead to reveal. Since this is a situation filled with blood, secrecy, misguided shame and even fear, the last thing you would expect here is humor, which is precisely what the story brings in in an effortless manner, like an organic, most natural aspect of it. This remains the most well-sustained victory of the film throughout. The story is about teenaged girls whose friend has had a miscarriage on their sleepover. Now while a mother awaits the group at an elaborate, hearty breakfast she has prepared for them, the situation has to be somehow brought under control. The narrative, once again, does a wonderful job of filling the moments before they all have to turn up at the meal table with deep tension and unease, and yet undercutting it regularly with laughter induced at the misfortune of our young characters. Further, Player One becomes a lovely offering of an all-female space, authentic and honest in its delineation without bogging itself down with sentimentalism or corniness. The thematic concerns of the film remain subtle, but powerful in its quiet engagement with the anxiety of a young girl in the aftermath of a miscarriage, female friendships and a pivotal moment about ascertaining the share of responsibility in a chaotic situation.

Most Viewed

Genres

Awards

Follow Us

Quick Links