This comes with some years of delay, I watched it along with the music video segment by Barbara Ohana, composer of the songs featured in this short film, basically a
dramatic musical story of a lonely young singer (the great Johnny Massaro) and how he copes with his loneliness by sharing his life with a mannequim of whom he falls in
love. The film does not contain lines, it's all told through the songs by Ohana which are dubbed by Massaro, creating a unique experience about the human condition and how
some of us deal with our feelings, or create unexpected connections that makes our lives meaningful.
I didn't have the words for it, or maybe I had so many that I couldn't possibly articulate them enough without spoiling the brilliancy of such film, of which I
desperatly I want to see it again - it was available on a fashion oriented website, of which this project was released back in 2019 and there was a whole fashion event
behind. But for all I can remember from the soulful performance by Massaro was the images from the music video, which is a summary of events where he spends his time
with the mannequin in bed in some loving tender moments (middle of the film actually); and the eventual decision he makes of finding some change in his life since he
wants to break down his patterns and find a place of his own with a special someone.
As for the mannequim, it's such an interesting device because it makes you think on plenty of things. I'd like to imagine that it isn't some kinky thing for the
young man, I imagine it as a memory from an old boyfriend he misses too much, they broke up but the love never faded away so his idea to keep the memory alive is the doll,
who possibly resembles the man. Just an idea, just as valid as if we think that this handsome guy can't find ways to cope with society and go on dates or hook-ups but his
sex drive and attention can be fully given to a mannequim. It's not 100% of fulfillment but it gets the near the dream.
With great inspired musical numbers with sad pop ballads, "Looking for a New Place to Begin" presents some strong messages alligned with great visuals, and our
leading man here is superb, dynamic, full of emotion whether capturing the songs feelings which mirrors his own situation as an incureable romantic loner. Brilliant in
all possible ways. 10/10.
