Fantasia 2020 Short Film Review: "You Wouldn't Understand" (2020)

You Wouldn’t Understand Short Film Review

Written by Stuart D. Monroe

Released by Steel Drum In Space and Fantasia International Film Festival

Directed by Trish Harnetiaux

Written by Trish Harnetiaux and Jacob A. Ware

2020, 9 minutes and 24 seconds, Not Rated

Premiered on August 21st, 2020

Starring:

Anthony Arkin as Man on a Picnic

Jacob A. Ware as The Visitor

Review:

The beauty of short films is in the potential of seeing it further and expanding upon the story. While there are plenty of films that stand alone and say everything they have to say in their scant few minutes, the best ones have you both wanting more and rewatching.

I was supposed to start this review about a half hour ago, but I watched Trish Harnetiaux’s You Wouldn’t Understand four more times after the first viewing. I had to keep going back to play “spot the clues” and pausing at certain times. Then I wanted to just enjoy it with fresh eyes and a deeper understanding, so I watched again. Finally, I realized that the title is viciously apt, because I still don’t understand.

I want to, though. I need to.

A man (Anthony Arkin; The Americans) is having a peaceful picnic in a lovely, sun-drenched glen. His spread is carefully selected and immaculate; the single glass of wine shines in the sun amidst fruits, crackers, and spreads. He’s reading a book as he lays comfortably on a blanket covered in soft pillows. He looks distinguished with his pressed pants and soft sweater. Then, it happens- he spots two men in white running down the hill toward him. They disappear behind a cluster of tall bushes. The sounds of a barely-glimpsed struggle are heard, and only one man emerges. He calmly approaches the man and asks him for some horsey sauce for his hundreds of friends up the hill. Then…

You know, I’m going to stop there. I’m not sure how I’d explain it. And that’s the first thing that makes You Wouldn’t Understand so damn great: it’s best just experienced in the raw. You shouldn’t know too much. Knowing too much would spoil the fun of watching it repeatedly and connecting the dots. It rapidly builds up to a crescendo of sheer weirdness that makes more sense with each viewing. When it’s done, you simply want there to be more of it; it’s the equivalent of opening a door a crack and seeing whole universes beyond only to have that door slam shut and lock. Frankly, it’s cruel to give a glimpse at a story that fucking bizarre and then leave someone hanging. No fair.

Anthony Arkin runs a range of emotions in the near ten minute run time that go from amusement to confusion to fear to bravery to complacency. He doesn’t seem at all like a bad guy, but you wonder what his real story is. Jacob A. Ware has a look that makes you immediately distrust him, and even repeated viewings will not leave you with a clear idea of who (or what) he is. He oozes weird from his first spoken word before going somewhere completely different in a turn that’s like Ash Williams playing out a Terminator-esque storyline in the most surreal corner of the multiverse. It’s a two-man show that ISN’T a two-character show, and these two excellent actors wear a ton of hats.

The whole closing sequence is completely bonkers in a way that I haven’t seen since the days of Monty Python’s Flying Circus. All that’s needed to complete the tableau of insanity is some classic Bill Plympton artwork. That may be the only way that You Wouldn’t Understand could have upped the odd factor.

Want to know the coolest part, though? Those repeat viewings that you won’t be able to resist will lead you to the framework of a story that has the potential to be incredibly dark and deep. It’s been some time since I’ve seen something that leaves you wanting more so strongly. I still don’t know if I understand what’s going on in You Wouldn’t Understand, but I’m going to feel a bit cheated if I don’t someday get to find out.

You Wouldn’t Understand can be viewed at the online home for the Fantasia International Film Festival 2020: https://fantasiafestival.com/en/film/you-wouldnt-understand

Grade:

5.0 out of 5.0 stars