WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
WATCH THE FILM HERE
First, the Recap:
Isn’t it amazing how virtually connected we truly are as human beings? In this modern age, nothing says “I know what’s happening around me” than staring at the small screen of a cell phone. Utilizing technology may be a blessing when it’s in our hands, but what about when said blessing ends up in the hands of another? The end of another day arrives for street vendor Lord Islip (Audie T. Rhodes) and his friend Wisdom Infinite (Esan Skeete). While the two head off to their evening, another individual’s day is about to turn decidedly wrong. College student Winnerbeme (Shaun Malik) is facing academic probation and living arrangement hassles, much to the consternation of his friend Akava (Rasheem Luchie).
While at a subway stop, the distraction of a young woman causes Winnerbeme to misplace one key item–his cell phone. Unable to score his intended target’s digits without his phone, he leaves the station frustrated and unsatisfied. Meanwhile, the phone falls into the hands of Fredo (Oscar Lewis), who proceeds to take full advantage of having access to it, even to the point of contacting via text one of the women he finds, Patricia (Sabine Simon), who thinks it’s Wisdom testing her loyalties to boyfriend Lord. In the local park, Lord and Wisdom run into two ladies, Lady (Vanessa Denis) and her friend Akeesha (Cassandra Jeudi), Winnerbeme’s earlier intended from the subway.
Soon, as all their stories intertwine with assorted ramifications that affect each differently, it becomes a hard lesson in why not to lose a cell phone!
Next, my Mind:
To say there is a lot going on within the narrative created by writer/director/producer Mansu Edwards’ 10-minute short film would honestly be an understatement, and in the spirit of trying desperately to reveal no spoilers in the above synopsis, the best thing one can do is watch the film to take in the full gist of what the project’s overall intention is. I will say that with a very uniquely simple utilization of text message sounds as its music score and subtitled “dialogue” in place of actual live speaking, it all presents a visually driven effort accompanying a very biting social commentary on how one lost item in today’s world can literally have ripples affecting an entirely random group of people. Moreso, the proceedings then postulate how said technology can ultimately be the cause of total distraction, undue inconvenience, compromised identity, and even infidelity. But no, we don’t rely too much on tech or anything, right?
This was a full-blown ensemble cast effort here, even as the story’s primary focus is on Winnerbeme’s mistake in losing the phone and Fredo’s subsequent discovery of it and moving forward in his own agendas thanks to it. Malik does a fine job as Winnerbeme, projecting the prototypical young man, distracted by everything, and not fully aware of how to deal with his life choices being so in turmoil, despite others trying to help him and his sense of still being in control. Likewise, Lewis embodies Fredo well, portraying him as the opportunist he is, completely having no issue making someone pay the price for being careless with their possessions, and even causing waves in other’s relationships without second thought, or any thought really, of consequence. Watching how the two men navigate the overall trouble this lost phone initiates is undeniably entertaining and very, very true to real life situations we’ve all heard of.
With solid, and truthfully no less key, supporting efforts enacted by Rhodes, Skeete, Luchie, Simon, Denis, Jeudi, plus Demetrius Haynes, what we end up with in “Texting In New York City” is an independent film that illustrates how deeply immersed and reliant we are on a virtual world and all the information it feeds us, rather than living without it, hence being more mindful of everything around us, with less opportunity, therefore, to experience our digital and analog lives getting interrupted. Basically, for Pete’s sake, just keep track of your phone!!
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
