FILM REVIEW WORKSHOP: tribute to the fading culture and identity of rural communities seeks to memorialise the fleeting beauty of life – from the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival

Accepting someone you deeply love for who they truly want to be is one of the most universal human challenges. But what if such a scenario played out among flowers? In a dream-like animated movie, performance artist and flower person Sam prepares for the final act. They will go through a transformation. Sam’s mother struggles to accept her child’s transformation and true identity. The two spend the day before the performance together. She reveals that it isn’t just Sam’s nature that she struggles to understand.

Berlin-based Indonesian director Ariel Victor Arthantto takes audiences on a colour-filled, borderline psychedelic journey. Beneath the beautiful surface unfolds a bittersweet mother and son relationship. The decision to use flowers instead of people, adds a layer of symbolism. We are all accustomed to thinking of each plant as beautiful and perfect in its own way. Seeing a flower struggling to find their own identity is very refreshing.

Sam and his mother’s personalities gradually unfold, revealing surprises and suppressed feelings. Though they are both flowers, they lead very different lives. One is open and optimistic, while the other one is cautious and conservative. Arthanto makes us wonder why some of us refuse to blossom. Why resist at all costs?

The creators have crafted a very singular style, and a visually captivating world. The colours depict the emotions felt by the characters. Suddenly, dark, unattractive and neutral hues replace bright shades. Regular people (ie non-flowery characters) live in a gray world, The absence of colours is pushed onto Sam, who suddenly finds himself in a box. Luckily, he gets out. The true tragedy takes place outside this enclosed space. How do you live in a world where no one wants to accept you for who you are?

This short film is a heartwarming tribute to empathy and tolerance, particularly towards minorities. Regardless of whether they are people close to us or complete strangers. The world is always in need of kind and generous human beings. And every change starts within. We can’t accept others if we haven’t been able to embrace our true selves.

I Am a Flower shows in the PÖFF Shorts section of the 28th Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. This review was written as part of the Film Review Workshop conducted on November 10th, 2024.