“Different”
– A Short Film Directed by Tahneek Rahman (2019)
Tahneek describes
his short film, worded by discoverology, about “A deaf girl comes across
a boy who is paralyzed from the waist-down, but neither of them knows about
each other’s differences.” (s.d.) The setup of this five-minute short film
introduces the main two characters, Emily and Sam, in an outdoor setting who
are both clearly unaware of each other’s differences unlike the spectators. This
can already begin to create an external conflict as it can create awkwardness
and tension not just for the spectators, but the characters themselves. As the opening
continues, the spectators gain an insight into Emily’s feelings about Sam (exposition)
and how she wants the friendship to grow; shown when Emily repeatedly chucks different
notes down the back of Sam’s top, midway through her runs.
Later, Emily
falls off her skateboard in front of Sam, arguably to grab his attention away
from what he was doing, onto her. This can be the inciting incident that
initiates their connection, however, when Emily falls off, Sam is quick to ask,
“Yo, are you okay?” but Emily freaks out when he doesn’t physically help her
up. This creates a further conflict between the two characters due to Emily’s misunderstanding
and judgement about Sam, who is unable to walk. Emily is now assuming Sam is
rude, yet she is clearly mistaken. As a spectator, we don’t necessarily align
with either of the main characters (protagonists), as the main goal within this
short film is about the connection that Emily and Sam have, and to not let
their differences interfere to make their friendship work. Contrasting to this,
it is possible for viewers to take the intended message and agree with it even
without a disability as everyone has differences in one way or another.
After Emily runs
off due to her embarrassment, described by the narrator, she looks through a
bush back at Sam. This is where Sam is to be seen getting help back into his
wheelchair which is the climax, as it is the point in the story where Emily now
realises, she has made a mistake and arguably regretting her decision for
running off. Personally, it was difficult to separate the climax to the falling
action, as the falling action could also be Emily’s new awareness and understanding
about Sam being paralyzed from the waist down.
In other films, this could cause confusion as it is not obviously following
a three-act structure, yet personally I think it works well as Emily’s emotions
of guilt, and even shame, come through more intensely providing that heightened
investment towards the short film.
As the resolution
at the end of the short film appears, Emily and Sam are both sat back on the bench
with each-other, creating this cyclical structure but only with a different
interaction. Sam hands Emily two pieces of paper, then signs “Sorry” to her.
This form of communication, sign language, only escalates the meaning that
Rahman wanted to originally create and stated, ““With this film, I wanted to
share a message that despite our differences, we can all still live in a world
where we can work together for the greater good.” (2018) Sam changes his actions once
understanding Emily’s difference to make their friendship at an equilibrium. This
ending feels complete as both characters, but especially Emily, get what they
wanted which is to start a friendship. Moreover, this ending is happy due to
the characters possibly also getting what they both have needed; for someone
not to judge them based on their differences and to accept them for who they
are.
Throughout “Different”
Rahman has chosen to use a narrator to describe the action and emotions of the
two characters. The narrator could possibly bring a sense of security to the spectators
understanding of the narrative so there are no misjudgements happening, just
like what happened between Emily and Sam. Personally, I wonder how the impression
would have changed be there no narrator. Would it be more emotional? Would it
have been perceived the same way? Or would it simply make no difference at all?
I think that it would be interesting to not have a narrator for this short
film, as it encourages the spectator to read the characters themselves,
positioning themselves in the situation of Emily and Sam. Despite this, the use
of the narrator aids the spectator to stay more on track with the structure and
adds more depth to the story as they are almost saying what Emily and Sam wish they
could say to each-other.
Bibliography:
https://discoverology.com/different-award-winning-short-film/ (12/10/2021)
https://lncspotlight.wordpress.com/2018/02/28/different-an-award-winning-short-film-by-tahneek-rahman/ (12/10/2021)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yu24PZIbkoY (12/10/2021)
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