Greetings again from the darkness. I am always in awe of filmmakers who find a way to connect with viewers through short films. And this latest animated film from director Jumai Yusuf is exceptionally short at just 7 minutes (including credits). Now you may be one of those who swears it takes longer than that for a story to affect you, and if so, this one provides a nice litmus test.
Co-written by Michael Bickel and veteran TV writer David Bickel (“Young Sheldon”, “The King of Queens”), the film allows us to witness the beginnings of a lifelong bond when a dad brings his long-haired son to Tony’s Barbershop, and an upstart barber gets his first client. We never hear a word of dialogue between Nate and John, but the montage takes us through the years as both men mature and live their lives … John always stopping in for a trim from Nate.
Frank Capra’s classic IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE (1946) allowed George Bailey to see the lives he touched, and here, we get to see how a humble barber touches many lives from all walks of life over the years. Certainly, human connection is a key to a happy life, and we should all take the time to express our appreciation to those who have a positive impact on us. The film played at Cannes and will also play at Tribeca on June 8, 2024.
Movie Reviews from the Dark 
Excellent reviews as always. I don’t normally watch short films but your review has compelled me to check this film out. I love movies that capture the strong bonds between two people over the course of time. This seems like one of those movies that has an emotional impact on the viewer. That’s definitely quite a feat for a short film.
The premise for this film reminds me a lot of the film “The Last Black Man in San Francisco”. It told the story about the bond between two black men in a city filled with poverty. One of the most underrated movies I’ve ever seen which doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. Here’s why it’s worth watching: