Regarding Sarah

I saw this film at the 2006 Vancouver International Film Festival the same day I saw The Fountain. Both films delve into the question of what constitutes the self. In spite of its pricey stars and special effects, The Fountain fails. Regarding Sarah, less than 20 minutes long and shot mainly on a single indoor set, succeeds. In an attempt to preserve her self (as opposed to herself), Sarah posts cameras throughout her home and spends hours editing the daily results. This bothers and bemuses her friends and her lawyer (who gets very nervous making statements that are being recorded). As the cameras multiply Sarah's days are overwhelmed by the job of saving and editing film.

In spite of its serious theme (you cannot preserve the past and your memories inevitably slip away), the film is funny and sharply written, directed and edited. It is too bad that short films like this never reach large audiences.