WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The undeniable potency of the mind, of thought, of desire. These forces that so emphatically drive our daily lives can either simmer under the surface or explode with unbridled intensity at any given moment, for what’s unspoken can sometimes speak far louder than any words could muster or convey. Yet, in the realm of the intellect and the body language that might manifest from it, what if what’s transferred in only a single look sparks far more than one might wish to “hear”? At a local bus stop, Jesse (Josh Allen Goldman) finds his contemplations running wild when it comes to Derek (Jonathan Joon Kim), who’s sitting next to him. Even as a glance sets off a cascade of unreserved notions between them, others around then begin to “speak” as well, with a decidedly unanticipated yet liberating result in midst of the bitter realities of self-obsession, scattered truths, crippling anxieties, and overt hatred.
Next, my Mind:
It’s a highly raw, candid, yet darkly humorous, ultimately affecting journey that unfolds in a span of only eight minutes during this new indie short film effort from director/producer/editor Yannis Zafeiriou and writer/producer/actor Josh Allen Goldman, delivering a necessary and sobering look at a multitude of thematic explorations that cover racism, prejudice, resentment, and absolute malice in regard to the LGBTQI community as well as the blatantly chaotic, random brokenness and triviality of our own overall perceptions of just simply being. Presented within the context of a cross-section of complete strangers waiting for a bus to arrive, no spoken dialogue is present, instead allowing the “conversations” and subsequent “interactions” to take place wholly in mind between the two primary characters and the crowd surrounding them.
Not even knowing for sure the proclivities of the other, the deeply explicit fantasy expressed between the two men is truly blunt and unflinching, while meanwhile the others around them deal with their own shortcomings, worries, and interpretations of what they notice between the two men, which is what boldly emphasizes and brings to unvarnished light a portrait of this contemporary society, a reflection that combines both outward ignorance and self-centered focus, the opinions of the few thinking they speak for the many or otherwise finding themselves buried under the most inane concerns that actually turn into weight upon their conscious. It honestly is a wake-up call and a message that should be recognized here, as we really need such an emotional and societal overhaul on so many levels to see and end to so much that prevents basic human connection and understanding from being fostered.
The beauty of it all, though, comes in what turns into a wonderfully executed and powerful finale that also adds the touch of lighter, playful humor which isn’t afraid to poke some chuckle-inducing fun at the community who’s at the heart of this narrative. For this critic, as I’ve mentioned a multitude of times over the years, this isn’t in itself a particular preference thematically, and the nature of the men’s imagined “chat” was graphic and not totally comfortable for me, being transparent. Even the general thoughts of the others is, in their own ways, almost just as indelicate and abrupt. BUT, the real victory here is that the film’s intent transcends this underlying foundational concept of love being delivered and ushers forth a challenge to us all to assess our own notions of how we think about life and the needed revitalization of a connection between us as PEOPLE. With so much hate existing in this world, the example of two people finding potential love by wading through it all is real and inspiring.
Goldman brings a quietly fervent, unembellished, realistic performance to the table in his portrayal of Jesse, a gay man who steals one glance at someone next to him at the bus stop and allows his imagination to run wild, even when realizing at some point everything he’s experiencing is pure conjecture. The intensity of what he’s feeling comes out with bare passion and unadulterated fire, while still recognizing the myriad of hateful looks or apathy exuding from everyone else. Even as his own doubts creep in, events might end up taking a wanted turn for the best. It’s a fantastically subtle performance that still carries the weight of all the emotional upheaval and release, and Goldman embodies this wave of uninhibited, stormy actuality with poise and purpose that very much sells you on the character., seeing him not a just a gay man, but AS a human being, as it should be.
Likewise, Kim exudes a different kind of forthright vigor through his performance as Derek, a fellow bus stop patron who happens to be next to Jesse and catches the initial look that sets off the chain of events that follow. However, the wonder of this initial recognition is that Derek actually might not have any idea as a whole what Jesse is thinking, despite there being a somewhat obvious interest based on what his glance has communicated. Yet, Derek maintains his composure while also noticing other reactions happening around him and choosing how to assess and deal with them in his own way. It’s an equally engaging performance, like Goldman, that says so much without the actor saying a single word, a credit to his skills and the ability to utilize meaningful, unexaggerated yet ambitious body language to make it known what is emerging between him and Jesse.
Primary supporting appearances are made from Kerstin Porter, Joe Finfera, Moises Macedo, Shenell Williams, Jo Dellapina, Alicia V. Wilson, and director Yannis Zafeiriou himself who all make up the patrons at the bus stop, each carrying their own level of pre-occupied ruminations that reveal the elements listed above with both humorous and embittered tones, all very well-played by each actor, and all having the needed, intended impact on the grander story taking place. In total, “Don’t Frighten The Horses” paints a vivid, formidable, compelling illustration of this modern world and so much of what needs to change, while offering its LGTBQI-based characters in a manner that represents a profoundly human story, showing that connection, friendship, and loving relationships CAN still be formed in the midst of bigotry, misunderstanding, and unneeded internal chaos. May love one day rule the world, and perhaps this film can be a part of speaking that message.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
