The American Dream is, as most people will acknowledge, a hollow truth debunked long ago. It seems we are in constant supply of films such as these, the kinds that demystify the largely forgotten hustle of those seeking a better life in the United States. The Brutalist, this year’s awards season darling, is the quintessential feature film on the topic, narrating the story of a Hungarian-Jewish architect seeking his fortune in Pennsylvania. Eliana Cordova’s debut short film, One Minute of Unconsciousness, takes a similar, albeit more reserved approach, dissecting the struggles of a young filmmaker looking to break into the LA industry.
Cordova stars as Ariana, a Peruvian immigrant down on her luck in the City of Angels. Her funds run out following the completion of her studies, so she turns to her good friends Jo (Johanna Thur) and Asif (Aayush Kumaran) to take her in. All the while, Ariana has a project on her mind that she hopes to make a splash with, one that echoes the deeply personal experiences she had in coming to America. Hopeful, she takes the script to a well-regarded screenwriter and friend Gabriela (María Jimena Gastelum) for advice, only to be turned away time and time again. Ariana remains adamant to present her story the way she wants it told, despite Gabi’s feedback of it being unoriginal and lacking in ‘sazón,’ as she calls it. Nothing seems to be coming together for Ari’s short, and regardless of what adjustments she tries to make, her friend won’t budge on her criticism. Ariana’s screenplay doesn’t answer the two questions of ‘why’ and ‘for whom,’ two aching elements that she just cannot seem to satisfy on paper and in her head.
Cordova does something very interesting with the visual landscape of the short, using a surprising amount of drone shots and 16mm film overlays to convey flashbacks, often spicing it up with a more saturated color palette. There’s a particularly beautiful image of Ariana swimming in the Pacific Ocean with waves rolling over the sand, just as she gets out of view, that’s really captivating and has a deeper meaning for you to discover. Then there is the opening sequence which really helps make Ariana’s arrival to Los Angeles a memorable one from high above. The story itself does tend to jump around, recalling moments of wonderful insecurity, and though these don’t go beyond the confines of Ari’s apartment, they still help in understanding why she is so uncertain.
One Minute of Unconsciousness has sincerity firmly on its side, as it guides its viewer through the early writing process of an indie film, with added pressure for its author. In essence, it’s almost as if you are being invited along to solve the problem of her script along with her, as she looks back at her troubled past for inspiration. Ariana’s problems are incredibly relatable, and Cordova fleshes the character out into someone you feel a genuine connection with, someone you want to see succeed. The supporting cast is equally fantastic, with Gastelum and Kumaran making strong impressions as Ariana’s closest friends who, in their own way, want her to go all the way.
Endearing at nearly every turn, Eliana Cordova’s One Minute of Unconsciousness is a rally cry for those looking to start anew – whether they fit the mold or not. This film will surely inspire some creatives out there to push for even greater heights.