WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
First, the Recap:
The voices we hear in our head. On the surface, it sounds like a one-way ticket to the asylum. But, when those points in time arrive that test us, even pushing us to the very edge of our sanity, it could be those thoughts, those recollections of better moments, whose legitimacy and potentially easing nature might bring us some semblance of peace–or the simple fortitude to rise up and carry on. For a woman (Shefali Shah) alone in her apartment overlooking the city, there are yet these voices that ring out, pressing, prodding, trying to help her find the means to discover a much required respite from a harried, ugly actuality that isn’t going away. Will she be able to pull through, to know there’s an end to her own personal isolation–or will it only be the harbinger of further sorrow while attempting to fulfill desperate need?
Next, my Mind:
Seclusion, remoteness, separation, and the depth of true personal sacrifices being made by a particulary heroic group of people during an equally stressful, fatiguing, deeply demanding yet utterly necessary test of their skills and heart to aid others is given a uniquely painted, undeniably honest, painfully stirring portrait that is firmly rooted in heart-wrenchingly grounded reality through this short film effort from writer/director/lead actress Shah and writer/producer Rich Clarey which had its screenings as part of the 2021 Virtual South Asian Film Festival presented by Toyota USA, supported by AARP, produced by Jingo Ventures, and in association with DFW SAFF & NYC SAFF. When this critic continues to mention often how the magic of indie cinema is to bring narrative and character-driven projects that bear such impactful accessibility to the screen with purposeful, evocative intent–this stands as one of those levels of films.
Taking all the aforementioned aspects listed above that so deftly encompass a whole and condensing those into a showcasing of said struggles through the eyes of just ONE of them, the film is an exercise in what it is to truly confront and attempt to carry the weight of being overwhelmed, exhausted, and playing between the realms of some kind of faith that things will get better vs. sheer hopelessness in a new age of a certain ongoing global event. Additionally, it’s an affecting glimpse at it from the perspective of those who are seeing it first hand from the start, even more directly dealing with the losses it has caused, wondering when or if it may see any form of finality, and ultimately hits as the film reaches towards its well-executed, profoundly resonant finale with one phrase–“If the disease doesn’t kill us, the distance will”. This becomes the core of the film’s premise, the realization that it isn’t JUST the malady itself that’s taking a toll, it’s human beings being so overtly estranged from one another that might even extract a higher cost.
The manner in which this is conveyed, as again hinted at above, is so acutely astute in its poignancy and intent, viewing it from an individual’s standpoint while she attempts to find any and all ways to cope with her own loneliness and longing for interaction again while also missing those who are not there (for multiple reasons this critic gathered), presenting such a powerful image of what we do need to hold onto even when it’s not tangibly present. Also, given the woman’s career, it’s an illustration of being forced to be away from that which you are so bent on being a part of in order to aid and assist others in their own fight against this malignancy. On top of this, we are also entreated to looks into the woman’s life and all the routines she tries to maintain while being alone, escaping when possible into reminiscing about what it used to be like outside, relaxing, and enjoying the basics of life, simply to keep her mind active and alert despite body and soul experiencing total inner and outer numbness from events occurring.
Shah’s genius behind the camera of this film is perhaps only outshone by the lead position she assumes in front of it here thanks to playing the role of the woman she portrays. A haggard, weary person whose contributions towards caring for those afflicted with the ailment are evident by conjecture and conversations overheard, she strains and strives to go about needed routines and further researching to occupy the solitary existence she now has to face for a time, quietly yet fervently yearning for the time her cloistered actuality sees its end and she can get back into the fray, as well as just SEE others again in person. As she talks and recollects, it’s just such a formidably persuasive air that Shah creates through her performance, completely believable, consummately moving, and keenly fathomable to anyone watching the film. It’s a fantastic study in understated energy in a character, and how Shah delivers it is nothing short of magnificent, a total credit to her acting talents, which are on full, explicitly muted display.
It’s obvious from the beginning here of course what grander event and/or subject is being referred to in this film, but this critic still purposefully chose NOT to mention it by name, only in that frankly, you need to see and experience the film to grasp the genuineness and distinctive methods used to explore it. Now, there are some indications of the timeframe this story takes place, and while certain facets of our realities with the event have since improved, it doesn’t remotely lessen or invalidate the sentiments being shared in this narrative. It remains relevant without any question. So, in total, “Someday” does compellingly represent a touching tribute to heroes and, in a word, what we are ALL praying for when it comes to the world-spanning virus that has so abruptly upended our existence and the desire to say “It is over.” Whether this day comes has yet to be discovered. But, in the meantime, let’s all make it an emphatic point to proactively seek anything we can do to ensure that the most people, in the most ways, can most feel what they SHOULDN’T during this unprecedented time–alone.
As always, this is all for your consideration and comment. Until next time, thank you for reading!
