Written and directed by Chris Easterly, Maison tells the story of an African man, Moussa (Patrick J. Mitchell), stranded at a Southern U.S. gas station. He is lost and needs to get to the airport for his flight home. Unfortunately, he speaks French and knows only a little bit of English.
But even worse, the attendant, Danny (Lewis Wright, Jr.), was born and raised in the South and barely speaks English himself. When the frustrated Moussa returns to his car, it won’t stop. His desperate pleas for help with the car or a ride to the airport fall squarely on deaf ears as no one can understand what he is saying.
“His desperate pleas for help…fall squarely on deaf ears…”
Maison, meaning home, is a modern American (albeit global) tale. Though we may not look alike or come from different parts of the world, what we have in common can bind us together. What we have in common is home.
Running at eight minutes, Maison is short but gets right to the point with its message. Cinema is burdened with Southern stereotypes, but the film leans into hospitality. Though the story and acting have no grand gestures, high-stakes drama, or award-chasing performances, it’s a feel-good tale, comfort food, if you will. The message is simply and beautifully told: we have more in common than we don’t.
"…we have more in common than we don't."
