A man leaves his mother’s heart on a metro bus, inspiring Malia Ann’s directorial debut, “The Heart.” The 25-year-old, daughter of former President Barack Obama, started her Hollywood journey in 2014 and continued with notable achievements, including her senior thesis screenplay, “Yellow Light.
Her latest project, “The Heart,” a poignant 18-minute short film, explores themes of lost objects, loneliness, and regret. The film, described as an allegorical little poem story, follows Josh (played by Tunde Adebimpe), a lonely man grieving the sudden loss of his mother, Anita (played by LaTonya Borsay).
The narrative unfolds as Josh grapples with an unusual request from his mother’s will to preserve her heart organ and care for it after her death. Malia Ann, also known as Malia Obama, shared insights during a Q&A session after the film’s Sundance premiere on January 18th. Donald Glover, a recurring collaborator, serves as one of the three executive producers on “The Heart.”
In her short film, Malia Ann skillfully captures the subtle, unspoken expressions of familial love, such as tidying up after each other or sharing small portions of a meal.
For the initial five minutes, the film features minimal dialogue, focusing intensely on the almost eerily tranquil depiction of an adult son residing with his elderly mother. This evokes a sense of familiarity for families who struggle to articulate their affection verbally, often leading a subdued domestic life. Malia Ann’s work raises the question of how we convey and mourn love without relying on words.
As a 2021 Harvard English graduate, Malia Ann, self-described as a “talkative” individual, faced the challenge of succinctly expressing a clear message within a limited timeframe in “The Heart.” Contrary to her talkative nature, she achieves her greatest impact through the use of silence and near-silence in the short film.
The atmosphere of quietude becomes prominent in the latter half of the film when the protagonist, Josh, reflects on his mother’s reserved nature, describing her as always “so quiet!” In the aftermath of her passing, any form of quietness serves as a poignant reminder of his mother. Malia Ann’s screenplay beautifully explores the nuanced dynamics of silence as a powerful means of communication and remembrance.
When selecting Adebimpe for the character of Josh, Malia Ann had a specific vision: “I wanted Josh to be significantly larger [physically] than Anita.” However, what truly resonated with her was Adebimpe’s “gentleness and friendliness” when he approached her. She emphasized that these qualities were crucial in conveying the intended tenderness in “The Heart.”
Malia Ann illuminated the Park City Prospector Square Theater with her directorial and solo screenwriting debut, earning a standing ovation at the Sundance premiere. Her work stands as a remarkable testament to her delicate comprehension of familial love and the profound revelations that silence can unveil about one another’s truest emotions.
As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, “The Heart” had earlier screenings at Telluride and the Chicago International Film Festival, where it garnered recognition in the best live action short category. The film, produced by Ayesha Nadarajah in collaboration with Serendip Productions, continues to captivate audiences with its poignant exploration of the intricate dynamics of love and silence.
Pakistan Rupee Exchange Rate
