Much of the past lies buried in our subconscious, a stream of memories under lock and key. In a very special woman’s case (Austin Highsmith Garces), she has struggled to piece together her life after a traumatic car accident. Per her doctor’s advice, she and her boyfriend (J. Teddy Garces) travel to places she has been before, hoping to coax a response. However, when they unexpectedly enter a Turkish antique shop owned by the mild-mannered Hüseyin (Frank Shokouhi), they discover a shocking revelation.
NYEH Entertainment’s latest short, Hatirlama, is a brimming beacon of hope and second chances as it explores human kindness at its most fundamental level. Garces’s character is unassuming, looking for a necklace to take home as a memento, and Hüseyin graciously guides her through the selection process. However, something catches the shopkeeper’s eyes, which then in turn triggers a memory from years ago in both him and the woman.
Set inside a beautifully decorated store, the film makes the most of its one location by surrounding its cast with beautiful, ornate decorations and valuables that Hüseyin has spent a lifetime collecting. Emotionally resonant performances from Shokouhi and Garces help drive home the impact of their mutual discovery. Writer, director and editor Josh Folan takes a very simple concept and transforms it into what is essentially a story for all ages, where the disappearing appreciation for human connection is what really matters.
Hatirlama’s is a heartfelt 8 minute tear-jerker, with a tangible and real message for the world.
