I had the opportunity to watch this short at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival and found it nothing more than a gem of an Indie film. It centers around an Arab-American actor living in New York City shortly after 9/11 (I'm guessing 2003?). He finds himself alienated as he goes out on stereotypical auditions, all the while longing for the approval of his father.
The acting was really extraordinary in the film, and it was a treat to discover that the lead was actually played by the Writer/Director. This young man is definitely someone to keep an eye out on. His film reminds me a lot of Martin Scorsese and Spike Lee's earlier works, after they got out of film school.
New York City in the film is extremely dark and gritty, something that I have not seen since those films of the 1970's (Mean Streets, Midnight Cowboy).
This short is recommended to anyone who can appreciate a dark and gritty drama.
10/10!
