The territory of consent is not simply confined to explicit gestures or dialogue, non-verbal cues form a major, undeniable part of it. This is indeed the nuance which, despite its palpability, is often overlooked by partners while engaging in a sexual encounter. The short film is a conversation with the same unease a woman feels with a lover during a shared moment of intimacy. While the viewer can feel the progressive rise of the disconcertment, the lover is far from the same comprehension of the situation. The verbal exchange in the film is frugal, employing an economy of words. The partnership of its only two actors suffices to bring the emotions to life in a powerful, hard-hitting manner, leaving no doubt in the viewer's mind about the intention of the plot. The tightness of the visuals carries a strong emotional revelation, but instead of subscribing to a place of love, affection and comfort, they bring to life an underlying tension, threatening to become more and more perceivable with every passing moment. Potentially triggering for some, the film is unequivocal and clear in its discussion of thematic concerns that are often relegated to a world of uncertainty and the greys, whereas being far from the obscurity that is often used to shield one's own over-stepping of boundaries, especially when it comes to matters of sex, relationships and a woman's consent.

You Disappeared Again | Short Film of the Day

If one were to make a proclamation of the kind that declares romance dead in an age of dating apps and the hook-up culture, it would find widespread support, even, and perhaps more so, by the participants and makers of this very culture. However, translating this reality to the screen space might not always be an easy task. Romance Language not only succeeds at achieving this, but also makes it look effortless and smooth while at it. The story is simple, it is of two strangers who meet at a bar, and then shift their rendevous to the empty apartment of one of the two parties, to find a way to cope with their own internal struggles through meaningless sex. While the story in itself is not entirely unique, the manner in which it is told is fun and entertaining. The actors and their convincing chemistry has a big role to play here, allowing the film to not only capture the very essence and sentiment of the meaninglessness of a random hook-up that might lead to a dysfunctional relationship, but also allowing the several aspects of the film to come together as one whole. As for the two characters, though the darkness might have been able to hide their deceptions from each other as well as themselves, where will they find their refuge in the brightness of the day?

Romance Language | Short Film of the Day

In a patriarchal world, harassment and more serious instances of assault on women are often normalized both for and by women to a disturbing extent. It is precisely for this reason a woman in the film finds herself capable of mentioning a terrible experience from her recent past to a current date, simply as a passing, flippant comment. When the information is shared right on the heels of a sexual encounter, it alters things significantly for the man, leaving him uncertain about the decisions he should make next. 

 The film is a compelling conversation on the very pertinent issue of consent and the location of women in heteronormative sexual encounters. It exhibits a genuine and relevant engagement with the thought, handling the aftermath of such an incident in a sensitive and intelligent manner. 

 Additionally, there is also the attempt to explore the male experience vis-a-vis a deeply traumatic event in a woman's life that can leave him shaken and unsure of how to comprehend his own emotions which could be anything from a complete disavowal of responsibility to guilt, concern and accountability. Sí introduces us to a crucial moment one night, presenting the viewer with important propositions for them to tackle on their own. Having said that, it would be interesting to see the film's premise developed further in a longer project or in subsequent parts of the short film.

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