WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
Ah, the American Dream. For so many who are born here, it is the lifelong pursuit of a satisfying life, one that is fulfilled mainly with family, career, friends, and the basic enjoyment to have the freedom to chase it all. However, this dream also resides within the heart’s of those who come here from other countries, as it represents their ideal dreams as well. Or does it? In the bustle of New York City, a young Lebanese couple named Jad (Zayn Alexander) and Rania (Pascale Seigneurie) want to make it in the film biz. Yet, they seem to find themselves at a tipping point, as their endeavor to see the goals come true have stalled in the light of creative frustration and rampant typecasting.
Jad has also seemed preoccupied in wondering what exactly the pair has accomplished at all, having to work other jobs to pay the bills while remaining far removed from their homeland. Rania seems to savor the challenge, with any and all obstacles only furthering her resolve to overcome them and see her own achievements rise above. Things get taken to a whole new level, though, when Jad chooses this volatile time to offer multiple proposals to his beloved, one creating excitement, but the other suddenly stealing it away. Soon, it becomes apparent that Jad and Rania’s notions of what the future is to hold doesn’t match up, putting their entire life in a state of unanticipated flux.
Next, my Mind:
Presented in a perfectly accessible, uncomplicated, relatable narrative format that addresses issues ranging from difference of opinion and questioning the future to deeper topics like societal conventions and expectations, director/producer Alexander and writer Seigneurie’s 10-minute exploration into the potential collapse of the American Dream for an immigrant couple is both relevant and provocative. We see the dichotomy in thinking between two individuals who’ve been away from their natural home for some time in order to pursue life’s goals, yet one is more than willing to push through this country’s quirks and stereotyping to see everything work out while the other is suddenly acquiescing to possible parental pressure to return to Lebanon and bow to cultural norms and mandates. This, of course, causes a polarizing situation that may or may not bring happiness for the pair, hence providing the film with the underlying sense of tension it carries, which soon comes to the surface as the couple’s circumstances arise. Smoothly shot camerawork follows the proceedings well while keeping the visual execution simple and effective, with a piano-driven closing credits music score finalizing it all.
Alexander puts forth a solid performance here as Jad, a young, ambitious dreamer from Lebanon who’s evidently had the initial aspirations to move a great distance from home to New York City, like so many dreamers domestic and foreign, in order to find that elusive success and prosperity, much less in one of the most challenging fields via film. However, after the phone rings and a conversation with his Mom ensues, we watch as the change in heart is initiated, and the second guessing begins as well, leading to two choices he drops on Rania that have opposite results. All of this is well-enacted by Alexander. Likewise, Seigneurie plays her role as Rania with ease and subdued fervency, portraying a young woman who’s move to America was also both desired and an evident part of being with her man, too. Her own personal objectives and yearnings seem to line up with Jad’s until she comes to the unanticipated knowledge he’s no longer secure or satisfied being in NYC when Lebanon might offer more stability. She sees beyond this, though, and her consternation at what she most likely sees as weakness is palpable and clearly doesn’t bode well for them in her eyes. This inner and outer struggle topped off with her final decision about the matter is very well played by Seigneurie.
In total, “Abroad” can safely claim a space among well-conceived, credibly engineered, and suitably pertinent short film efforts while deftly yet effortlessly conveying its message for us as the viewer to chew on with straightforward intent.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
