Houseplants
All Films • 10-Sep-2018
On their first day living together, a young couple experiences ghosts from their past. “Houseplants,” from director Prashanth Kamalakanthan, is an elliptical drama that glimpses into the private life of Alma and Ron, a struggling couple on a vulnerable day. Over time, your partner changes and you change too, says Ron as he unloads boxes from the moving truck, “so the question is: who are you in love with?” As the day progresses, Ron starts to slip into visions of his past, exacerbated by heavy drinking. It's a film that favors atmosphere over exposition, and one that benefits from a tremendously compelling cast, including Zazie Beetz, David Rysdahl, Sophie Traub and Lio Mehiel. With its hazy stylistic flashes and indeterminate movements through time, the film registers as a mysterious tone poem, evocative and fleeting, and boosted by beautiful 16mm visuals courtesy of Jomo Fray, one of the most best young D.P.’s working in the current low-budget sphere. (See also: “Get Out Fast” and “Modern Love”).
Written, Directed, and Edited by Prashanth Kamalakanthan. Produced by Ernest Gold and Ria Tobaccowala. D.P. Jomo Fray. Production Designer: Ntokoze Kunene. Costume Designer: Jessica Harrison.
Up Next in All Films
-
six tabs
A man tries to decide whether or not to take acid while his friend films him. Written by Colin Burgess and Tynan Delong, “six tabs” is brimming with absurd behavior and juvenile silliness, another signature addition in the body of work of DeLong & friends. Looking to expand his mind, the man ...
-
Nudes
[Online Premiere]. Desperate to be desired in her long-expired relationship, Jen becomes embroiled in a sextual encounter with her co-worker. “Nudes,” directed by Evan Daves, is a provocative relationship drama about a young couple experiencing doubts and trust issues, and possibly drifting into ...
-
Flora Borealis
Two gay men struggle with depression in a ruined environment, and a botanical glassblower mourns his wife. “Flora Borealis,” directed by Casey Friedman, is a striking animated film that uses a post-apocalyptic setting to explore themes of destruction and perseverance. The young couple survives in...
