WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Facets of connectivity and the nature of human interaction. That which we value through the intimacy of interacting with others can only be attained if we open ourselves up to the limitless possibilities of what we might learn or experience by allowing someone else in. Naturally existing in a somewhat guarded state of being, the notion of how much we might engage with or be influenced by another soul is often a slippery slope to navigate. But, perhaps, the risk can be a miracle. Contained within the beauty of New York City’s Christmas holiday season, Kabir (Prashantt Guptha) finds himself less than merry with the weight of multiple hardships, broken relationships, and an embittered attitude towards life. However, when a random moment brings him into contact with Kenyan film student Kioni (Grace Wacuka), it could become the exact touch of humanness to change his Christmas, and his outlook, forever.
Next, my Mind:
Just like the twinkle of the Christmas Star, the sounds of joy exuding from children on Christmas morning, the undeniable warmth of family, and the simple, gorgeous, soothing reality of viewing myriads of multi-colored lights and decorations that illuminate trees, homes, storefronts, and more during this particular season, it’s honestly no exaggeration for this critic to revel in the beautifully light-hearted but likewise deeply impactful, relevant, realistic shot of much-needed, life-lesson infused positivity that emerges from this holiday indie film effort from director Daniel Tenenbaum, writer/producer Travis Hodgkins, producers Rashaana Shah, Prashantt Guptha, and Vivienne Kjono, plus co-producer Stacey Maltin. Willing to present aspects of everyday life and its formidable struggles, even if primarily battling them inwardly, the film deftly weaves a narrative that delivers the pure innocence of one jaded man meeting a total stranger, striking up an unanticipated bond, and then finding that it was precisely the reconnection with what’s most important that they actually both need.
In true indie film fashion, the story explores an ocean of additional thematic elements ranging from the lost art of spontaneous encounters with fellow human beings, the radiance of affecting moments of connection, the depth of candid, truthful disclosure, the freedom of letting go, being thankful for what we have, how we learn about ourselves through others, and reawakening a heart that’s gone cold to acknowledging differences in culture and tradition along with shared principals about the value of family, coping with self-blame and loss, thinking beyond just our own needs, plus the varied perspectives by which we see everything around us overall. This all melds together, encompassed within a delightfully charming shell that paints a picture of us as people in a way that’s relatable and grounded, showcasing the good with the bad, and making it clear by the film’s well-crafted finale, featuring a highly stirring moment of memory, release, and newfound joy, that we let so much weigh us down and interrupt the better paths that life has for us, even when facing pain, and that reconciliation of heart, mind, and soul is entirely possible.
The film’s visuals are crisply shot, highlighting the magnificence of The Big Apple at Christmas via shots of nighttime skylines, light-encased trees, Rockefeller Center and its many associated, familiar sights, along with the city itself hustling and bustling, making the perfect backdrop for the project’s characters to be immersed in during their personal journey that unfolds. Prashantt provides a perfectly balanced performance in his role as Kabir, a man on the verge of losing touch with everything he used to cherish thanks to a loss he cannot get over. Even as it all threatens to unravel, he meets Kioni and once willing to be transparent piece by piece with her, his entire world is both shaken and revitalized as he ventures with her through the city and its holiday-infused atmosphere that becomes part of the healing Kabir so desperately needs. It’s a character that we can see ourselves in throughout, and it’s what makes the path Kabir travels so heartfelt and effective, brought to life superbly through Prashantt’s portrayal and dramatic flare that allows the emotional tangents his character encounters to be played up to the appropriate levels for maximum intent and effect on the viewer.
When it comes to Wacuka, I feel like she is a total revelation for character-driven narratives like this in that she brings such a fresh-faced exuberance and absolutely captivating manner to the table in her role as Kioni, a bright-eyed film student from Kenya whose path crosses with Kabir’s and initiates an amazing kinship that allows her bubbly joy to seep into his hardened demeanor. Her own more emphatically cheerful outlook on life and all she is experiencing for the first time in NYC gains her the advantage at first, but also allows her to divulge her own struggles to him as they find our more about each other, leading to a sublime, sincere attachment that changes them both. Wacuka is so unavoidably adorable and real in the part, her winning smile and delivery selling us on the character from start to finish with ease and buoyant grace. It needs to be mentioned that Prashantt and Wacuka’s chemistry together on screen is equally incontestable, and that greatly assists in us rooting for them both through thick and thin to find the ultimate purpose their characters are to be for each other.
Primary supporting turns arrive from Preeti Gupta as Kabir’s estranged but still-loving wife Shivaani, who hopes potential reconciliation can occur between them, but has doubts as events initially unfold, Aurora Heimbach as Catherine, a tie to Kabir’s past, Carl Garrison as Paddy, a local business owner who’s become a close confidant of Kabir’s, Swati Bhise as Aasha, Kabir’s mother who plays a pivotal part in his current outlook on life, and Paula Rossman as a homeless woman who has quite the influence on a certain key meeting of two people. Additional turns come from Vivienne Kjono, Harbinder Singh, and Hilton Ariel Ruiz. So, in total, it’s really is about rekindled love, hope, attitudes, and viewpoints on what’s most valuable in life that makes up the core of “A New Christmas”, definitively what we all need during this Christmas season while also taking in the fact that we should never discount the power of human interaction and the understanding that can come from it. Even when those who bring it to us may only be a transient presence, they’re meant to be with us when the time is right–and their counsel is most needed. May we all be more ready to accept each other and connect like this.
A final thought, check out where you can catch this film theatrically starting December 6th or On Demand by checking those listings out HERE.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
