Tenderless
Coming of Age
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Drama, Short Films, Romance, 08-Dec-2023
An awkward New York teenager accompanies her more experienced friend to a boy’s home. Amanda Samimi directs “Tenderless,” a 16mm coming-of-age film that considers youthful city-living and meandering intimacies. Observing skaters on the blacktop and the overly-acquainted squirrels of Tompkins Square Park, Mona and Ivy sit on a bench; a melody plays. While Ivy awaits a call back from Colin, a boy she’s supposed to link up with, Mona inquires about their relationship and sexual activity. They get to his apartment, and Mona finds herself on the edge of the sofa as a third wheel. Bored, she paces through the unit, sits out on the fire escape, and finally returns to the living room. Ivy had to head home, and it’s just her and Colin. The film’s stylistic zoom-ins, and a score that’s both baroque and giallo, work to heighten its tender naturalism. -JM. Director: Amanda Samimi. Cast: Lula O’Donnell, Prentice Jones, Rory Hayatgheybi. Producer: Miles Emanuel. DP: Connor Keep. AC/Loader: Katie Mlinek, Grace Conrad. Gaffer: Jonas Hayes. Sound Mixer: Shane Fleming. Score: Patrick Colabella.
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