It's gems like this that make exploring the uncharted space of short films worthwhile. I didn't have many expectations before watching this short, but it turned out to be really well-made and interesting. For some reason, I didn't expect it to be a period film-but of course, it should be.
The story is set in early 1880s New York-just twenty years before my ancestor arrived there as an immigrant to the New World-and it follows a Japanese mother, her two children, and her sister-in-law who recently moved to America for a new start. It seems the father of the family was a samurai but is no longer alive. However, their samurai bloodline goes far back, and the sister-in-law was also trained in sword fighting. That might just become useful in the New World after all, even though violence is exactly why they ended up far from their home country in the first place.
What's impressive in this film is the use of the characters' own language and dialects-it makes the story feel more authentic. Also, the period details are well done and add to the film's overall believability.
