Don't Die On Me (2022)

2023 SLAMDANCE FILM FESTIVAL REVIEW!

Matti struggles with asthma, and he often suffers from coughing fits as a result. He often hears from those around him “Don’t Die on Me,” but this time is far more serious than before. As he struggles to breathe he thinks about every decision he’s ever made, considers the consequences, and now he deals with them.

I feel like Don’t Die on Me is the simplest and most concise way that I’ve ever seen a series of bad decisions displayed via film. He coughs, and instantly viewers are transported to his past, seeing every poor decision he’s made, all of the germs that he’s come in contact with, and how they have affected him. Don’t Die on Me encourages viewers to think twice about some of the things we may consider doing, and it reminds us that each and every one of our decisions comes with a consequence.

There are two parallel stories taking place throughout the course of Don’t Die on Me, one being Matti struggling with asthma, and the other being one of selfishness and the inability to sympathize with others. While Matti struggles to breathe, his friend continues to repeat the titular phrase–but it’s clear that there’s a disconnect between Matti and his friend. While the friend certainly cares, I’m not sure that he’s able to truly understand the struggle that Matti faces, and that’s made clear by the way he just continues on with his conversation by the end of the short film. This lesson may be even more important than Matti’s. Don’t Die on Me tells the world to think about how we treat others, consider the things that we say to our friends, and always have the best interest of everyone in mind.

What, on the surface, appears to be a silly animated film, is deep and meaningful. It does more than just scratch the surface of human emotion, it digs deep and allows viewers everywhere to appreciate what’s being said and done. In order for those things to come across to viewers, the animation has to be effective enough for viewers to appreciate. Don’t Die on Me combines strange animation with live action, and the two work together to create something, well…sort of ridiculous. That’s not to say that the film isn’t effective, but rather to say that Writer-Director Ori Goldberg finds left-of-center ways to reach his audience. He’s effective, and his unusual methods entice viewers throughout the duration of the film.

Again, what initially appears to be something completely silly manages to reach viewers on a series of levels. Emotionally, Don’t Die on Me hits the mark, and it allows viewers to peer into their own lives and analyze every major and minor decision that they’ve ever made. The unique combination of live action and animation creates something both strange and accessible–and I believe that viewers are able to appreciate each and every second of Don’t Die on Me as a result.

Written & Directed by Ori Goldberg.

Starring Ori Goldberg & Itamar Shlomo Cohen.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/10