Debut: The Art Of Reconnection In 'Cousins'
Cousins, (2023) produced by Aya Hamdan, is a poignant short film that delves deeply into themes of cultural disconnect and the search for identity. Starring Karina Dandashi as Layla and Ribal Rayess as Tarek, the film employs cinematographic techniques to portray the strained relationship between two cousins separated by cultural and emotional distances. The story unfolds as Layla reconnects with Tarek in Brooklyn after a long period of estrangement. Their evening together is meant to rekindle their bond, but it quickly becomes tense when Layla’s ex, Clair (Monica Sanborn), appears unexpectedly with her new partner. This encounter introduces complexity to their reunion, turning a seemingly straightforward attempt at reconnection into a labyrinth of awkward interactions and unresolved feelings.
The film explores themes of belonging and identity as Layla and Tarek navigate their awkward attempts to reconnect. Set predominantly in a dimly lit bar, the film uses this setting to amplify the discomfort and disconnection between the characters. Tarek speaks in Arabic, a language Layla admits she has never learned, which further highlights their emotional and cultural separation. This language barrier symbolizes the broader disjunction between their past and present selves. To avoid the uncomfortable situation when Clair arrives, Layla insists that Tarek pretend to be her new boyfriend. This pretense forces the group into a series of competitive conversations and small talk, which reveals hidden aspects of Layla’s life. Tarek is oblivious to the scheme, as he does not realize that Layla is bisexual and believes throughout the meeting that Clair is just a friend.
The film’s cinematography is crucial in illustrating Layla and Tarek's disconnect. Throughout most of the film, the characters are positioned on opposite sides of the screen, with Layla often on the left and Tarek on the right. This visual separation effectively underscores their emotional and cultural distance, highlighting the difficulty they face in truly connecting. The director’s choice to keep them apart visually reinforces the chasm that exists between them, making their attempts to bridge the gap all the more poignant. Despite the prevalent theme of separation, Cousins features key moments where Layla and Tarek share screen space more intimately. These moments are significant as they represent brief but meaningful attempts to bridge the cultural and emotional divide. For instance, when Layla successfully says the Arabic word for water, or when Tarek makes an awkward joke about someone being dead, they are shown together in the frame. These instances, though fleeting and tinged with awkwardness, symbolize their attempts to connect and understand each other better. However, the film further emphasizes their separation by minimizing the use of wide shots featuring both characters together, thereby highlighting the ongoing disjunction.
The film’s first wide shot includes Layla’s ex and her new boyfriend, a visual choice that starkly emphasizes disconnections within relationships. This deliberate framing underscores the theme of estrangement and contrasts sharply with the separation typically depicted between Layla and Tarek. It suggests that disconnection is not merely an individual experience but a broader social phenomenon affecting various relationships in the film. The group dynamics, marked by visible pairings and separations, set the stage for the audience to grasp the pervasive nature of these themes. Later, in the bar scene, although the camera alternates between focusing on Layla and Tarek, they remain within the frame together, hinting at an underlying, albeit tentative, connection. The shared screen space in this scene signifies a moment of potential reconciliation or understanding. Another significant moment occurs during a song, where music—a universal language—becomes a medium through which Layla and Tarek momentarily bridge their differences. This moment underlines the power of shared experiences in fostering connection.
Karina Dandashi’s reflection on the film captures its essence: “Growing up in America, I often felt untethered from my roots in Syria. Cousins explores the cultural disconnect between family members and identity within oneself. What does it mean to belong somewhere, and how do we find our way back?” This quote encapsulates the film’s exploration of identity and belonging, themes intricately woven into its narrative and visual storytelling. Through its deliberate cinematographic choices and key moments of connection, Cousins portrays the nuanced relationship between Layla and Tarek, reflecting broader themes of belonging and the struggle to reconcile one’s cultural heritage with their present reality.
