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I caught this film on a Columbia University Film Festival DVD. The director clearly has talent, mostly with slick-trick editing, but the film was just way too sprawling for me, just too all over the place. Felt like an hour long. The director couldn't resist throwing the kitchen sink in there, and it hurts the film. If he'd chopped out about 10 minutes, it could be brilliant, but he didn't so it isn't. There were 16 films on the DVD and this was my 4th favorite, behind Misdemeanor, Aqui Iba El Himno & La Milpa, which were all superior films. I suspect this filmmaker will become a unique voice but needs to know when to keep something, and when to cut it. That said, I wish him/her good luck.

in my opinion, this was clearly one of the best short films at the tribeca festival. the story is simple yet very moving and achieves a sense of depth and character that is generally absent in short films. jonathan lemond establishes himself as a smart and talented young director with a keen sense of storytelling. actress abigail savage, who i met at the screening, is very convincing as an impoverished street child. the only weakness in the film is the performance of john di benedetto. visually, he is right for the role but lacks subtlety and nuance. despite this, lemond has directed a poignant and elegant film.