Greetings again from the darkness. I am always in awe of filmmakers who find a way to connect with viewers through short films. And this latest animated film from director Jumai Yusuf is exceptionally short at just 7 minutes (including credits). Now you may be one of those who swears it takes longer than that for a story to affect you, and if so, this one provides a nice litmus test.
Co-written by Michael Bickel and veteran TV writer David Bickel (“Young Sheldon”, “The King of Queens”), the film allows us to witness the beginnings of a lifelong bond when a dad brings his long-haired son to Tony’s Barbershop, and an upstart barber gets his first client. We never hear a word of dialogue between Nate and John, but the montage takes us through the years as both men mature and live their lives … John always stopping in for a trim from Nate.
Frank Capra’s classic IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) allowed George Bailey to see the lives he touched, and here, we get to see how a humble barber touches many lives from all walks of life over the years. Certainly, human connection is a key to a happy life, and we should all take the time to express our appreciation to those who have a positive impact on us. The film played at Cannes and will also play at Tribeca on June 8, 2024.
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