World renowned photographer turned filmmaker Misan Harriman’s Oscar nominated short film THE AFTER is one of the most powerful and gut wrenching films this season.
Misan’s directing is not only superb and having lead actor David Oyelowo delivering a stellar performance, you have the makings of a film that goes to the gut and to the heart at the same time.
David portrays Dayo, a British businessman with a beautiful wife and daughter. Just like many of us, we get preoccupied with our career and even though we are physical present, we may not be mentally and emotionally present. The taking for granted absence comes and bites Dayo quickly and without warning.
One moment he has a wonderful life and in one split second, it’s all gone. Misan uses the cinematography to showcase the beauty when all things are going well, but changes the lighting to show us that cloudy days are ahead. Many today deal with trauma and depression, a feeling as if cloudy days will never leave them.
Dayo goes from businessman to a ride share driver picking up a variety of passengers and numbingly going through life reliving that horrible day over and over again.
Then the embrace of healing comes into his life from one of his unsuspecting passengers. That hug was one he needed, and the giver of that hug needed someone to appreciate what she wasn’t getting in her own home. A role reversal of sorts.
Misan brings beauty, trauma, grief, healing and a new beginning together in this short film packaged into something powerful.
THE AFTER has been at the top of every entertainment magazines top 5 for a possible nomination or even an Oscar win. Well, Misan got the nomination and we will see on March 10th if he carries home the gold.
