In A Week, filmmaker Tony Rakshith tracks seven turbulent days in the life of our heroine, Rebecca, who finds herself in a dire situation with no escape.
It’s Monday, and standing over the mess of dropped plates, waitress Rebecca (Neva Leoncini) says to the chef (Karina Cordova), “He got out today,” revealing that her husband (Amir Yassami) has just been released from prison. She’s in shock. Suddenly, the annoying bellow of her name is heard from the dining room. He’s out, and he wants his wife back.
On Tuesday, her husband storms into the diner asking, “Where is the money?” On Wednesday, he becomes jealous when Rebecca is talking to another man in the parking lot, and on Thursday, she starts her workday with a black eye…She “fell down.”
“On Thursday, she starts her workday with a black eye… She ‘fell down.’”
It doesn’t get more solid a short film than A Week. Writer/director Tony Rakshith drops us right into Rebecca’s world, and we’re immediately off to the races. Instant sympathy for Neva Leoncini as Rebecca, and Amir Yassami is the instant heel the moment he utters the word, “Rebecca!!!”
From a storytelling standpoint, each day is a progression with the next event a natural extension of the one before. Rakshith efficiently makes the point and moves on. My only suggestion is in regard to the end of A Week. It’s a bit standard. You’ve told a great story — think of a way to really make that left turn to crazy town.
"…doesn't get more solid..."
