« Better Together» by Justin Tang, Rishabh Trivedi

Awarded Best Trailer in the April 2023 edition of the Rome Prisma Film Awards, “Better Together” is a short film that impressed our jury on several levels, and which we are sure will remain in the minds of its viewers for a long time.

It is the gaze, and its ability to adapt in the face of the different emotions, lights, and shadows that inhabit the atmosphere of a house and those who live in it, the tool the director uses to shape a slender, essential but powerful tale, a story that without ever naming it tells of a choice and the consequences it determines.

The protagonist is a girl who, after receiving a letter of admission to college, must decide whether or not to leave her home. At that very moment, her everyday life presents itself to her without discount, cornering her with the consciousness of adult life.

But “Better Together” is also much more. It is a powerful exploration of the complexities of family dynamics and the ways in which toxic behaviors can also impact relationships and lives. The film delves deep into the unspoken tensions and power struggles that often lurk beneath the surface of seemingly idyllic family homes, and examines the ways in which these patterns can be perpetuated across generations.
Despite the difficulty of its subject matter, “Better Together” is ultimately a film of hope, reminding us of the power of love and bonding even in the most difficult circumstances.

Evocative, meticulously detailed cinematography that harkens back to the elegance of the great masters of Asian cinema, along with the acting of the leads, which evokes lyrical realism, characterize a short film that tells a relatable story in a personal and special way. If you are a lover of intimate and emotionally charged stories, don’t miss your chance to see “Better Together” as soon as possible.