Adapted from a short story of the same title by Haitian American novelist Edwidge Danticat, New York Day Women follows a woman named Suzette (Natalie Paul), who’s in for the surprise of a lifetime when she stops for coffee with a friend.
While her friend Kelly (Sara Kapner) solicits her for advice, Suzette is taken aback when she sees a woman who resembles her mother. In complete and utter disbelief, she thanks Kelly for the coffee and quickly exits to not lose sight of the woman.
Suzette had never seen her mother in Manhattan, much less outside of East Flatbush. The story is one that many may identify with if they’ve ever experienced their parents living a separate life. This account in particular speaks to the immigrant experience.
I consider myself blessed to have friends from all over the world. A word that I often hear them use is “sacrifice” when speaking about their parents, leaving everything they once knew behind in search for a better life. A handful of friends from Tehran, Iran, would often show me pictures of how they used to live before moving to the U.S. They often mentioned what their parents “used to do”, but left it all behind to provide their kids with more opportunity elsewhere.
Suzette expresses these same thoughts and feelings. At home, she’s used to her mother in a certain light, one that’s familiar and maternal. What she sees out in the open is a stark contrast from her understood norm. To that effect, she even refers to her by her first name, Josephine (Kathleen Turrene), to further distance her from what she deems familiar.
Josephine did things that “mom” would find abhorrent. Completely perplexed by what she sees, she can’t help but continue to follow her about town, watching her purchases and interactions in awe. Like my friends from Iran, she wondered aloud what she was like before New York: her goals, dreams, and what she had to forgo to get here.
Josephine, a woman with dreams I’ll never know of, who gave them up to be my mother.”
Suzette
You don’t have to look far to find out what some are willing to sacrifice. Women are the ultimate warriors, often surrendering their plans and dreams for the sake of their families. Suzette is shocked by what’s transpired, but after a time of reflection, she expresses nothing but gratitude. The sight of her mother ignoring her high blood pressure and savoring a hot dog hit too close to home. My mother often reminds us to stay on top of health appointments and keep a schedule, meanwhile, she sees the doctor at her leisure.
The short feels like a love letter to women. The beautiful scenery and soothing soundtrack cater to the appreciation and gratitude the story conveys. To sacrifice one’s dreams for the sake of another is a level of love and surrender that speaks to the deepest commitment of the heart.
New York Day Women gets an 8.5 out of 10. The beautiful thing about shorts is that you can absorb everything a film has to give in a matter of minutes. The short is screening now at the Tribeca Festival, and you should definitely give it a go.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 06 – 5:00 PM The Indeed Theater at Spring Studios
Saturday, June 14 – 8:30 PM AMC 19th St. East 6
Sunday, June 15 – 8:30 PM Shorts Theater at Spring Studios
New York Day Women premieres on Friday, June 6, at 5:00 PM at the Tribeca Festival.
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Obscured Pictures
Category: Short
Country: USA
Director: Fredgy Noël
Cast: Natalie Paul, Kathlene Turenne, Sara Kapner, Jeffrey Matos, Skyler James
Runtime: 9 mins
U.S. Release Date: June 6