Sometimes one decision can change your life forever; whether it be simply saying yes or no, deciding to go out or stay in, or making a more substantial, life-altering choice. These short films and web series highlight the choices we make — big and small — and the ripple effects they leave.
In Lydia Rui’s “This Perfect Day,” a young woman’s decision to pop into a music store changes her past and her future. In Victoria Rivera’s “Night Swim,” the choice to say nothing leaves a mark. In Kim Tran’s “Zoe and Hanh,” being honest leaves a family dynamic in shambles. And “Unladylike2020,” presented by PBS’ “American Masters,” is a series highlighting the women in history who made important choices, and left lasting legacies.
Here are Women and Hollywood’s latest round of VOD and web series selections.
VOD
“This Perfect Day” (Short) – Written and Directed by Lydia Rui
Lydia Rui’s “This Perfect Day” follows a young woman named Jules (Michelle Keating), who walks into a music store. Her life is instantly changed forever when she meets someone important to her past. The entire short is set in one location and primarily features two characters, making for a deeply intimate case study into their relationship.
In an interview with The New Current, Rui revealed the short was inspired by recent life experiences. “I based it on a personal premise that has become particularly pertinent since I returned to my birth city of Melbourne, Australia,” she said.
“This Perfect Day” is a stripped down short, yet it expertly hones in on a lasting emotional impact.
Watch “This Perfect Day” on Vimeo.
“Night Swim” (Short) – Directed by Victoria Rivera; Written by Victoria Rivera and Neda Jebelli
Oftentimes the most memorable choices you make are the bad ones, especially those from your youth. Victoria Rivera’s “Night Swim” shines a light on the cruel and selfish decisions we make when we’re young, and the ramifications they can have on yourself and others. The film centers on three young women as they go on a night out that quickly turns for the worse. “Night Swim” is a dark and disturbing coming of age story, but one that acutely understands the consequences of inaction.
Watch “Night Swim” on Vimeo.
“Zoe and Hanh” (Short) – Written and Directed by Kim Tran
In Kim Tran’s “Zoe and Hanh,” a family relationship is upended after a conservative mother (Nguyen Stanton) catches her daughter Zoe (Kim Tran) lying about being sexually active. “Zoe and Hanh” expertly examines the generational and cultural divide regarding sex and purity, and shows how years of simmering rage and secrecy can result in explosive consequences. Zoe decides she no longer wants to hide herself from her mother, but putting everything out in the open can be a recipe for disaster. The short also navigates the different ways we handle trauma, and just how strong family ties can be.
Watch “Zoe and Hanh” on Vimeo.
Web Series
“Unladylike2020” – Directed by Charlotte Mangin
PBS’ “Unladylike2020” chronicles the unsung women who changed the nation: aviator Bessie Coleman, social work pioneer Grace Abbott, civil rights activist Maggie Lena Walker, inventor Lillian Gilbreth, botanist Ynés Mexía, and more. The series is refreshingly modern, utilizing vibrant paintings and unique visual styles to underscore the lives and careers of these pioneers. Each short episode focuses on a trailblazing woman in history, the difficult but necessary choices they made throughout their lives — whether they were popular or not — and the important legacy they left behind.
Watch “Unladylike2020” on PBS’ website.
