From the outside, all relationships look glorious. But onlookers never really know, and we as spectators aren’t the only ones who can misjudge. Sometimes the participants don’t even see the demise themselves, and before they know it, their eyes are suddenly and abruptly opened. Like the flash of a mushroom cloud, illumination leaves a staggering amount of fallout and Harvey Kadijk’s LOST forces a face to face that you can’t look away from.
Nonetheless, the ten minute short begins presently. The camera moves methodically across a dimly lit room, and the out of focus backdrop implies that life has become a blur. Dalo (Aristo Mijnals) coming into view, the actor’s empty glare, pained whimpering and resigned look shows a man who has succumbed to his circumstances.
Flashing back, though, we feel much better. The beginning of a new day, the intruding sunlight and gleeful chirp of the birds sings the possibilities of any new day. At the window, Sarah (Jihane El Fahidi) seems to be pondering just that – even though we can’t see her face.
Dalo awakens from his sleep and isn’t quite up to speed. But his call to Sarah is certainly welcomed, and she is ready to do the bidding to get him going.
Of course, her initial coaxing falls flat. So she snuggles up and the tender touching and tones that are exchanged shows how deep the affection runs.
Even so, Sarah has news, and while we’re petty sure she’s going to reveal the next stage in their loving relationship, his reaction could spoil the idyllic setup. Subdued but amenable, El Fahidi plays a typical guy by not really revealing his true emotions.
So we’re not really sure, but then we know. The scene shifts outside where Dalo feels free to let loose on his own, and he jumps for joy. A nice little vehicle, we’re through the roof too.
Along for the ride, we are bursting also as the couple puts aside the obvious challenge ahead. The couple is pictured in a park, and with red and white streamers surrounding them, they are essentially prancing. It’s like their traverse accepts that they have no idea what the future will bring, but their love can overcome anything.
The sentiment is reinforced by the framing. Only taking up a small rectangle of the entire screen, the message says they are all that matters in the success of their relationship.
At the same time, the scene seems to give us some unfortunate foreshadowing. The full sound effects of the passing wind signals a coming storm, and we return to the present. The tenderness is still there. Although now it means something different. and Dalo’s eyes are the only clue. They may reveal guilt, level accusation or signal a flame gone out. But an inevitability has arrived and as we have all lived, you never know what’s happening inside someone else’s relationship.
