Have you ever felt unsure of what you wanted to do with your future? It’s a feeling plenty of teens experience as they navigate the present while setting their sights forward, all while dealing with the baggage that comes with their age group.
Fito (Thayzhean Aniseto) is at a crucial crossroads and is unsure of what to do. Things fizzled with his girlfriend, Sunny (Sharlianne Beaumont), his employer just found his replacement, and his mother is growing impatient with his immature behavior. With his time at home winding down, decisions need to be made about his future, and only he can make them, whether he’s prepared or not.
Being a teenager is such a special time in our lives. It’s one where your youth earns you the honor of the benefit of the doubt, whether it’s paying taxes or getting a driver’s license, you’re expected to be unfamiliar with these things. A lot of grace is given to teens because if nobody tells them, how would they know? It’s a prime period for learning.
Fito is experiencing this firsthand. He’s not navigating his breakup with Sunny appropriately, and he hasn’t made a concrete decision about leaving for school. Taking place on the island of Curacao, it’s customary for teens to transition from Curaçao to the Netherlands for their studies. Leaving for a country like the Netherlands may afford plenty of opportunity, but that’s quite the big “ask” for a teenager carrying young angst and unbalanced emotions.
One night after work, Sunny picks him up and, along with two other friends, goes out for the night, taking in the sights and sounds of the island for what may be the last time. The very mention of his guitar drew an indifferent reaction from Fito. In the film, he’s seen playing the guitar in his room as well as practicing with his friends. A hobby he once enjoyed turned sour after a string of events, even shocking the van when he considers selling it. When you’re not alert or of sober mind, random thoughts can get the better of you. It’s in times like these that wise counsel is crucial.
But the question is, where would he get it? His friends are already set on leaving the island. His ex-girlfriend is somewhere in between moving on while harboring feelings for Fito. His manager, Willy (Bert Aengenendt), spoke like the prototypical manager who stayed in one place and never left, offering such useful advice as, “Grab life by the balls”. His mother (Melissa Corea) wasn’t much help either, insisting that he move on from Sunny and prepare for real life. Being pulled in so many directions, he makes a late-night decision to find his ex and finally speak his feelings. To his chagrin, things didn’t go as planned.
The film is good, using first-time actors and popular songs like “Ayo Amor” by Boy Thode, creating a sound and invoking emotions that only a medium like film could muster. The press notes provided a lot of context to fill the few holes I noticed, but the lay viewer would enjoy the film regardless.
Sunny gets an 8 out of 10. Teen love, angst, and stress we can all relate to, Sunny is a fun short to experience at this year’s Tribeca Festival.
SCHEDULE:
Friday, June 13 – 12:00 PM Shorts Theater at Spring Studios
Saturday, June 14 – 5:30 PM Shorts Theater at Spring Studios
-Jon Jones
Photo: Courtesy of Provider Films
Category: Short
Country: Curaçao
Director: German Gruber Jr.
Cast: Thayzhean Aniseto, Sharlianne Beaumont, Melissa Corea, Bert Aengenendt
Runtime: 15 mins
U.S. Release Date: June 5