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Two Distant Strangers

  • 2020
  • Not Rated
  • 32m
IMDb RATING
6.9/10
23K
YOUR RATING
Andrew Howard and Joey Bada$$ in Two Distant Strangers (2020)
Psychological DramaTime TravelTragedyDramaSci-FiShort

A man trying to get home to his dog gets stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.A man trying to get home to his dog gets stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.A man trying to get home to his dog gets stuck in a time loop that forces him to relive a deadly run-in with a cop.

  • Directors
    • Travon Free
    • Martin Desmond Roe
  • Writer
    • Travon Free
  • Stars
    • Joey Bada$$
    • Zaria
    • Vincent Mordente
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.9/10
    23K
    YOUR RATING
    • Directors
      • Travon Free
      • Martin Desmond Roe
    • Writer
      • Travon Free
    • Stars
      • Joey Bada$$
      • Zaria
      • Vincent Mordente
    • 165User reviews
    • 23Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Won 1 Oscar
      • 2 wins total

    Photos20

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    Top cast19

    Edit
    Joey Bada$$
    Joey Bada$$
    • Carter
    Zaria
    Zaria
    • Perri
    • (as Zaria Simone)
    Vincent Mordente
    • Businessman
    Ana González
    Ana González
    • Businesswoman
    Michael Moravek
    Michael Moravek
    • Coffee Bro
    Mona Sishodia
    Mona Sishodia
    • Fruit Seller
    Andrew Howard
    Andrew Howard
    • Officer Merk
    Cameron Early
    Cameron Early
    • Street Cop 1
    Jeremy Rivette
    Jeremy Rivette
    • Street Cop 2
    Trevor Morgan
    Trevor Morgan
    • Street Cop 3
    Annie Hsu
    Annie Hsu
    • Short Lover
    Shane J Kroll
    • Tall Lover
    Aizhan Lighg
    Aizhan Lighg
    • Yoga Bae
    Sterling Temple Howard
    Sterling Temple Howard
    • Skater Dude
    Timmy Hall
    • Running Teen 1
    Lazarus Tate
    • Running Teen 2
    Michael Chenette
    • Alleyway Cop
    Marley
    • Jeter the pitbull
    • Directors
      • Travon Free
      • Martin Desmond Roe
    • Writer
      • Travon Free
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews165

    6.922.5K
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    10

    Featured reviews

    8patronusquill

    A solid addition to the Best Live Action Short Film Category

    Let me tell you this, this short film is very difficult to watch at times, cause you can't help from feeling anxious, angry and sad all at the same time. Even if the story is full of simplicity in itself, there are some impressive symbols, such as the blood with the shape of Africa, or the reference to George Floyd. Even if you didn't like the way it ended, or how it became a Groundhog-Day-like film, we must not forget the names of the REAL people who died without deserving to. The ending is so real and so important that it deserves a standing ovation, maybe not because of the film, but because of those people who will never come back and deserve that justice be done.
    8Into-de-void

    Outstanding

    Take 1/2 a hour of your life and learn something new about short films.

    Clever, articulate, nuanced and at the same time both obvious and subtle.

    Just watch it, enjoy it, don't judge it.
    snperera

    BRILLIANT!!

    This short film sums up what the black community have been trying to say for years to the police in America. It is heartbreaking and I hate that this happens in America. So poignant and intelligent. BLACK LIVES WILL ALWAYS MATTER!!!
    8briancremins

    Interesting movie with a good message

    Didn't know what to expect from this but both the leads i thought were great, definitely worth the watch.
    8MovieGeekBlog

    It may not be subtle, but its message needs to be loud and clear

    Find 30 minutes to watch this NOW!!

    Nominated for Best short film at the Oscar this year, this wonderful little film uses the "old" Groundhog Day formula to great effect and does something which is not just completely new within a genre which never ceases to surprise me, but also manages to deliver one of the most important moral lessons and heartbreaking message.

    It might not be subtle, but the circumstances are such that subtlety is meaningless at this point.

    The names over the credits serve as a reminder of how much out of hands this has gone. Just as I am writing this the news of 20-year-old Daunte Wright was killed by a policeman who "accidentally discharged a "handgun".

    Yes, it is the real groundhog day.

    Beautiful, clever and very effective.

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      The title is a nod to Tupac Shakur's song "Changes," which features the line, "Learn to see me as a brother instead of two distant strangers." (The song "That's the Way it Is" by Bruce Hornsby and the Range upon which "Changes" is based is a recurring tune in the film.) Tupac's quote is featured at the very end of the credits.
    • Goofs
      All entries contain spoilers
    • Quotes

      Carter: Officer Merk!

      Merk: Wait, what?

      Carter: Look, man, I'm not sure what the fuck is going on. Maybe some racist deja vu shit, but I think we're stuck in some kinda loop where I keep running into you and you keep fucking killing me, man.

      Merk: Now I know you're smoking...

      Carter: Yeah, you think my cigarette is not a cigarette. We've been through this, look...

      Merk: Hey, back up. Show me some ID. Keep your hands where I can see 'em.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Film Junk Podcast: Episode 795: Nobody (2021)
    • Soundtracks
      Too Late For Tears
      Written and performed by Andrea Fodor Litkei and Ervin Litkei

    Top picks

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • November 20, 2020 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 遙遠的陌生人
    • Production companies
      • Dirty Robber
      • NowThis
      • Six Feet Over
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      32 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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